THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR (PG-13)

Released by Universal Pictures
Reviewed by Adam Mast

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR joins LONDON HAS FALLEN as the latest title on 2016’s prestigious “Sequels-we-never-asked-for” list. True, 2012’s SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN didn’t exactly bomb.  Still, it certainly didn’t scream sequel. Yet here we are, four years later.

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR has no interest in continuing  Snow White’s story (oh how sad Kristen Stewart must be.) Instead, this sequel/prequel (the timeline is all over the place) weaves its tale around a sibling rivalry between wicked and cruel Revenna (Charlize Theron) and  lost soul, Queen Reya (Emily Blunt). Revenna’s goal is to remain the “fairest of all” through the power of a magical mirror while an icy cold  Reya is perfectly content ruling the land through the aid of an army comprised of Huntsman soldiers she’s commanded since their childhood.

WINTER’S WAR also delves into the origin story of Huntsman, Eric (Chris Hemsworth), and tells the tale of his being banished from Reya’s kingdom. As the years pass,  Eric continues to seek purpose in his life all while continuing to mourn the tragic loss of  his soul mate, Sara (Jessica Chastain.)

As expected, THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR is a fantasy filled to the brim with themes of loyalty, honor, deception, and betrayal. There’s also a little romance thrown in for good measure. Sadly, there’s very little humor and magic to be found. All the components are certainly there, but the film can’t seem to rise above its dullsville trappings.

WINTER’S WAR is a Universal Pictures release but it feels more like a low-rent Disney Greatest Hits package. With shamelessly blatant nods to the likes of FROZEN,  BRAVE, MALEFICENT,  and of course, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS,  this film never comes across as anything more than uninspired imitation. Hints of LORD OF THE RINGS and Indiana Jones don’t do much to help matters.

A shame too, because WINTER’S WAR offers up a solid cast. Hemsworth is handsome and charismatic as Eric, but his thick accent makes it nearly impossible to understand what he’s saying for large stretches of the movie. WINTER’S WAR really belongs to the ladies. Chastain is fiery and tenacious as Sara, and while she’s given plenty of moments to shine, it’s a real shame that Sara isn’t a character of more depth. Theron brings the same sort of gleeful darkness to Revenna  that made the character such a standout in the first picture, and while it’s clear the FURY ROAD stand out  relishes in playing bad, there’s simply too little of her in WINTER’S WAR to speak of.  Blunt is the real standout here. As a tragic figure scorned by love and plagued by deception this wonderful actress brings complexity, depth, and real dramatic weight to a movie that isn’t terribly worthy of it. She’s a compelling screen presence and its a testament to her commitment that I was able to look past her character’s glaring similarities to FROZEN’S Elsa.

It’s refreshing to see a movie in which the central leads are badass women. Even Sheridan Smith’s  delightfully snarky dwarf, Bromwyn, steals the majority of the scenes she’s in.  Unfortunately, even though Smith, Chastain, Theron, and Blunt give it their all, they are unable to keep the movie from crushing under the weight of it’s own blandness.

Following a pretty good opening twenty minutes, THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR descends into a lethargic bore. There’s no real sense of urgency at the heart of the picture, most of the action sequences are clumsily executed and lacking in tension, and the majority of the visual effects are pretty lackluster.

At one time, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION director Frank Darabont was attached to WINTER’S WAR. Part of me wonders what the movie might have been like had a filmmaker of his skill been at the helm but another part of me is grateful that he ultimately turned the project down because in the end, there really is no reason for this film’s existence beyond the almighty dollar. WINTER’S WAR isn’t the worst movie of the year, but it’s pretty forgettable. If you’re looking for something thrilling, joyful, and magical to take the family to see, go see THE JUNGLE BOOK instead.