I was really looking forward to this film when I found out who was going to be starring in it; and then I actually watched it… The main cast were great, don’t get me wrong; Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton are great in everything they do, and don’t even get me started on Peter Stormare (legend of the screen). But there is one element (which I won’t delve too deep in to for those of you who haven’t seen it) which doesn’t really match the main casts quality of acting for this film. And this isn’t to say that the people portraying the characters are not good actors; they are, but in this instance they are a bit… Power-Rangers bad guy. Let me explain; in the, Oh I don’t know, 200-500 thousand years (give or take a hundred years) that power-rangers has been on the television, it never ceases to amaze me how badly the make-up and over-acting of the bad guys and gals is executed. And this is how i fell about Hansel and Gretel’s bad guys; over-everything, but mainly over-acting. I’ll stop there and let you make your own mind up.
The concept for the film is a good one, if not a bit straw-clutching, The idea for a witch hunt film is a bit out-dated, but the idea to have it following on from Hansel and Gretel’s younger years is actually not bad going.
I’ve touched on casting slightly, but i’ll go a little deeper. Jeremy Renner is a class act and his solid mix of serious action/ Comedy guy is perfect for a role which should never take its self too seriously like this one, I mean, that one bit where he gets..you know, and then..haha Oh my that made me belly laugh!. (that’s for those who have and haven’t seen it at the same time) clever, don’t you think?
Gemma Arterton is also perfect for a number of reasons. 1. She’s extremely hot, and that’s good for any action movie, 2. she’s funny (in her own way) 3. In this film at least her acting is second only to Mr Renner and 4. She’s a bad-ass with a cross-bow!
Seriously though, this would be a fantastic film if the director would have just said to the minor (and I say minor because Famke Janssen did a great job) witches, who at times I think actually thought they were in an episode of Power-Rangers. It’s really disappointing that something so petty can ruin an otherwise decent film.
The camera work is top-notch and some of the slow-mo; well I let you see it before I blab all about it (it’s of an amazing quality). Good going guys, apart from some minor mistakes this was a really good effort, and it tops its self off with Edward. I’ll let you meet him yourselves.
But great film regardless, Mr Wirkola.
Solid 7/10
