THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR Not worth hunting out
released OUT NOW! 2016 | 12 | Blu-ray 3d/Blu-ray/dVd Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan Cast Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron
Both a prequel and a sequel to Snow White And The Huntsman, Winter’s War is sadly nowhere near its equal – and not just because Snow is a no-show. While the first film was far from a classic it had a sense of wonder and some epic cinematography. Winter’s War, on the other hand, with its make-do effects, workmanlike script and misfiring comedy, feels uncannily like a straightto-video sequel from the ’80s.
It begins with an origin story for the Huntsman and Ice Queen Freya, the emo sister of the first film’s über-witch Ravenna, set before the first film. Then there’s a big time-jump to a post Snow White period. That’s when things become ploddingly predictable quest fare with comedy sidekicks.
It’s competent. It’s mildly entertaining. It’s well acted. It’s also wearying unadventurous and quite often simply dull.
Extras The Blu-ray includes a gag reel (nine minutes), four deleted scenes (nine minutes), five featurettes (36 minutes), a director’s commentary and an extended cut that adds six minutes of not-much-of-anyinterest (including a really boring new post-credits scene). Dave Golder
Some filming took place at Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean – also used for The Force Awakens.