The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
95
Studio and Year: Universal - 2012
MPAA Rating: PG-13/NR
Feature running time: 128/132 minutes
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.35:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio, French DTS 5.1, Spanish Stereo
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Starring: Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Ian McShane, Toby Jones, Bob Hoskins, Eddie Marsan, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost
Directed by: Rupert Sanders
Music by: James Newton Howard
Written by: Evan Daugherty, John Lee Hancock, Hossein Amini
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: September 11, 2012
Film Synopsis:
From the Producer of Alice in Wonderland comes a new vision that turns a legendary tale into an action-adventure epic. The evil Queen Ravenna (Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron) will rule forever if she can take the life of Snow White (Kristen Stewart), so she dispatches the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to track her down. But the wicked ruler never imagined that the Huntsman would train the girl to become a brave warrior, skilled in the art of war.
My Take:
As I sat down to watch Snow White and the Huntsman I couldn’t help but think about Mirror Mirror another re-imaging of this classic fairytale. That film wasn’t bad per se but it missed the mark and there was little about it that left an impression. That wasn't the case here as there were aspects about this film that better drew me in.
I had only seen glimpses of the trailer for this film on TV and what I saw didn’t leave me with a burning desire to rush out to the theater. I recall thinking; an action/adventure Snow White flick? Starring Kristen Stewart?? Nope. When it arrived for review I was less pessimistic and thought; Charlize Thereon as the evil queen and Chris Hemsworth as the axe wielding huntsman? Might not be THAT bad. Well I have to say that Snow White and the Huntsman turned out to be fairly entertaining. Writer Evan Daugherty’s spin on the classic tale is a dark one that eschews levity in favor of a visceral edge. Unlike Mirror Mirror I found the characters design of Revenna the evil queen to be quite good and integral within the narrative’s construct. She more than Snow White is the focal point which everything in the story jumps off from.
Both the theatrical version and an extended version are included here. I watched the latter and there are definitive differences from the fairytale (which is fine). The baseline elements are present and although not perfectly integrated I think it works. The character of Ravenna is a force of evil to be reckoned with but conversely is somewhat sympathetic which I found interesting. That isn’t fully fleshed out but it doesn’t prove to be detrimental. What is more problematic is the poor character development for Snow White. There are references to Snow White’s “enchanting” charm but that is never fully explained or implemented which leaves aspects of the story open. The film is portrayed via an epic scope that is hindered by the limitations of its characters. There are shifts in the thematic tone that hint at the narrative going first in one direction then the next. Is it an enchanting fantasy drama or a gothic battle action/adventure? In the end I think it more or less succeeds at being both with more emphasis being on the gothic battle action/adventure.
I think that is a good thing because Kristen Stewart’s limited range is painfully obvious. I am not so sure how believable she would be solely in the enchanting beauty role but here all that is required is attractive and plucky which she handles well enough. Chris Hemsworth is right at home as the emotional hero and I absolutely loved the fact that all of the dwarfs are played by old tough, gruff English actors, most notably Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, and Toby Jones, with honorable mention going to Nick Frost and Eddie Marsan. What makes Snow White and the Huntsman work is the foreboding presence of Ravenna’s evil/darkness and that is largely due to the performance by Charlize Theron who steals the show.
This isn’t a perfect film by any means but director Rupert Sanders and his team draws us into its dark world with strong set pieces, viable action and terrific production elements that elevate the proceedings. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. Purists won’t find much to like if hoping for something close to the original fairytale however if you’re open to the idea of a darker edgier spin Snow White and the Huntsman might be the ticket.
Parental Guide:
The film contains intense sequences of violence and action and brief sensuality.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 94
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
Video: 96
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black level/Shadow detail:
- Color reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Snow White and the Huntsman comes to Blu-ray Disc from Universal Studios HE featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 23 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 4.4 Mbps.
This film intentionally uses muted colors and uneven lighting to depict is fantasy world. Deep defining blacks and revealing details in low lit backgrounds and shadows provide excellent depth and gradational highlights to the film’s pervading darkened sequences. Detail is characterized by intricate and transparent imagery that has three dimensionality and defining resolution. This was the case in all but a few instances where definition softened slightly. I suspect that this was more than likely innate to the photography rather than related to the encoding. The film’s lighting/filtering kept fleshtones looking a bit flat and lacking in distinctiveness but this was in line with its stylized aesthetic which was fine. The sequence that takes place in the lush forest of the fairies is abundantly rich with earth toned greens and browns that look gorgeous in high definition. I thought that the creative choices made regarding the visual style of this film were right on target. It looked absolutely stunning.
The 7.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack was just as good and truly enhanced the film’s overall presentation. This is a dynamically charged surround mix that features high level detail, superlative clarity, and rich, room filling surround sound that didn’t disappoint. This is sophisticated sound design that incorporates a vast number of sound effects that are intricately mixed to engage the listening position. The sequence in chapter 5 where Snow White first enters the Dark Forest is a great example of this. Bass isn’t substantive but provides palpably rich extension that energizes the room. The short battle with the troll gets things shaking nicely. The delicate blend of music, discrete/ambient sounds, dialogue and bass creates an involving aural pattern across the listening area. I would recommend that you crank this one up, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Bonus Features:
- Theatrical and Extended versions of the film
- Feature commentary with director Rupert Sanders, visual effects supervisor Cedric Nicholas-Troyan and co-editor Neil Smith
- (HD) A new legend is born – 21 minute featurette
- (HD) Reinventing the fairytale – 6 minute featurette
- (HD) Citizens of the kingdom (4 segments):
-
- Fairest of them all: Snow White – 5 minute featurette on Kristen Stewart
- Deliciously evil: Queen Ravenna – 5 minute featurette on Charlize Theron
- The Huntsman – 5 minute featurette on Chris Hemsworth
- Motley Crew: The Dwarves – 6 minute featurette
- Fairest of them all: Snow White – 5 minute featurette on Kristen Stewart
- (HD) The magic of Snow White and the Huntsman – 13 minute featurette
- (HD) Around the kingdom – 360 degree set tour – Interactive feature with introduction by Rupert Sanders
- Universal Second Screen – An advanced viewing experience that allows viewers to
control, interact with and explore Snow White and the Huntsman with
groundbreaking features on a networked tablet or computer, in synch with the movie
onscreen - My scenes bookmark feature
- D-Box Motion Code enabled
- pocket BLU
- BD-Live
- Bonus DVD
- Digital Copy
- Ultraviolet Digital Copy
Final Thoughts:
Snow White and the Huntsman re-tells the classic fairytale of Snow White with a darker action oriented conceptual spin that as it turns out makes for a fairly entertaining film experience. It comes to Blu-ray Disc from Universal Studios Home Entertainment featuring reference quality audio/video and a rewarding supplemental package that looks behind the scenes while offering insights from the cast and crew. Snow White and the Huntsman isn’t a perfect film but I found it and its Blu-ray presentation to be good enough to warrant inclusion in my video library.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-93 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Furman SPR-20i Stable Power Regulator
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
