Visually stunning with perfect casting, Mirror Mirror director Tarsem Singh (Immortals, The Cell) brings new life to the classic Snow White tale. My expectations were low after the terribly cheesy trailers, but I was pleasantly surprised once the film began. It’s the type of film that really only works as a whole, so trailers don’t do it justice because when isolated, the scenes look forced and silly.
Shortly after an evil woman marries her father and becomes Queen, the King mysteriously disappears and Snow White is forbidden to leave the castle. She meets a Prince when she gets enough courage to venture to the kingdom, but her defiance is punished by banishment to the forest. With the help of a band of thieving dwarfs, Snow’s adventure begins to reclaim her throne.
Julia Roberts is charmingly evil as Snow White’s stepmother and Queen. Using her likeability to her advantage, Roberts elevates the story above a simple fairy tale and gives the Queen a real personality. Perfectly complimenting her performance is Nathan Lane as her bumbling servant, Brighton. He’s not a dumb servant, but a guy who must carry out the orders of the Queen therefore is more his own person rather that just a caricature.
I was at first surprised at the casting of Armie Hammer as the Prince, as I really enjoyed his dramatic performances in both The Social Network and J. Edgar, but in this film, he’s expanded his range showing he can really pull off comedy. His classic looks work well and gives the story a great anchor in the fairytale world. Opposite Hammer is Lily Collins, who plays Snow White. Her beauty is also classic, but in a different way, as her big eyes and lips are of a Disney-like vision of Princesses. What I also liked was how she was able to blend into each scene rather than take center stage. She truly looked like she belonged in that world.
Rounding out an already stellar cast, are the seven dwarfs. This group of talented actors were so funny and full of life that they could have been the entire film and I would have welcomed it. Instead of casting each part individually, they cast the group, then let their own personalities shape the characters. The end result is a superbly funny and enjoyable banter that leaves you wanting more. From Danny Woodburn (Mickey on NBC’s Seinfeld) to Jordan Prentice (In Bruges), chances are, you’ll recognize most if not all of the actors from various roles over the years in TV and film. The action sequences at the beginning of the film are fun and immediately set the stage for a joyous ride.
Matching the beautiful scenery and imagery are the amazing costumes, mostly worn by the Queen. The intricate gowns are so lavish and breathtaking that they become characters themselves. Eiko Ishioka (who unfortunately passed away this past January) is owed great credit for the elaborate costumes that borrow elements from her past work with the director on The Cell and Immortals.
Whether you take the kids, your mom, or your landlady, everyone is likely to enjoy. With two other Snow White fairy tale films coming out in the next year, this one sets the bar high.
Rating: Delightfully witty and charming with the perfect balance of cheesy dialogue. 8/10
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