The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016)
As is the case with most sequels, The Huntsman: Winter’s War was a bit of a disappointment. We were all hoping for a sequel that pitted Queen Snow White (Kristen Stewart) with her gruff, tough huntsman (Chris Helmsworth), but she didn’t even make a cameo! This prequel/sequel takes place both before and after the huntsman has met Snow White, and the story has absolutely nothing to do with that fairy tale. Emily Blunt is the main woman in the film, playing a loose version of the Snow Queen – but let’s face it, with her long, white braid and trailing periwinkle gown, it’s just an obvious throwback to Frozen in hopes of boosting ticket sales.
Remember in the first movie when Chris agreed to do Queen Charlize Theron’s bidding because she promised his wife would be brought back to life and restored to him? In this one, Jessica Chastain plays his “wife” (marriage by a necklace exchange) and a fellow huntsman to the evil Emily. But since she dies fairly early on in the movie, it’s hardly suspenseful. In fact, after you watch her death scene, you might wonder why she agreed to be in this movie at all (maybe she was motivated by all the smooch scenes with Chris). Emily is given her own backstory of how she turned her heart and everything around her “frozen”; her evil sister Charlize did her a terrible wrong, so she vowed to never love again.
If you’re really into special effects, you’ll be in a great position to appreciate the immense snowy world of Winter’s War. The mountains and terrain are beautiful, as are Emily’s frosty creations; and there are lots of flashy action sequences – but the movie itself probably won’t impress you. Clean-shaven this time around and with more smirks than scowls, it feels like Chris is spending two-hours winking at the camera and asking, “Aren’t I cute?” And yes, he is, but this isn’t a movie I’ll really want to watch more than once. Although, I never get tired of watching the gold magic mirror come to life.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. After Emily Blunt asks the mirror the classic question, the camera tilts to the side for a few seconds, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to some creepiness and violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it unless they've made it through the first one.
More Emily Blunt movies here!
Remember in the first movie when Chris agreed to do Queen Charlize Theron’s bidding because she promised his wife would be brought back to life and restored to him? In this one, Jessica Chastain plays his “wife” (marriage by a necklace exchange) and a fellow huntsman to the evil Emily. But since she dies fairly early on in the movie, it’s hardly suspenseful. In fact, after you watch her death scene, you might wonder why she agreed to be in this movie at all (maybe she was motivated by all the smooch scenes with Chris). Emily is given her own backstory of how she turned her heart and everything around her “frozen”; her evil sister Charlize did her a terrible wrong, so she vowed to never love again.
If you’re really into special effects, you’ll be in a great position to appreciate the immense snowy world of Winter’s War. The mountains and terrain are beautiful, as are Emily’s frosty creations; and there are lots of flashy action sequences – but the movie itself probably won’t impress you. Clean-shaven this time around and with more smirks than scowls, it feels like Chris is spending two-hours winking at the camera and asking, “Aren’t I cute?” And yes, he is, but this isn’t a movie I’ll really want to watch more than once. Although, I never get tired of watching the gold magic mirror come to life.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. After Emily Blunt asks the mirror the classic question, the camera tilts to the side for a few seconds, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to some creepiness and violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it unless they've made it through the first one.
More Emily Blunt movies here!