A MISBEGOTTEN MESS

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR Direction: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan Actors: Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain Rating:

Starting off as a prequel and then morphing into a sequel to the medieval fantasy Snow White and The Huntsman (2012), the follow-up is a misbegotten mess. For starters, the pure-hearted princess White is noticeably absent from the narrative, which focuses instead on the exploits of the titular hunk (Hemsworth) and his warrior lover (Chastain). The latter is one of two primary new female characters introduced in the spin-off, the other being the wicked queen’s trusting younger sister (Emily Blunt). Separated from her royal sibling (Charlize Theron) following a heartbreaking betrayal, the embittered princess establishes her own kingdom and proclaims herself the Ice Queen. The outlandish proceedings are embellished by lavish production values and costume design. But it turns out the overall glossiness undermines some of the Grimm-er aspects of the story. Thank heavens, then, for the dwarf quartet which fetches up midway through the film to provide much-needed levity. British actress Sheridan Smith, in particular, is a hoot as the potty-mouthed little harpy. A subsidiary narrative thread involving the magic mirror leads to a door-die confrontation between the two rival sorceress sisters. All in all, The Huntsman: Winter’s War is a misguided attempt to turn the beloved kiddie tale into a lucrative franchise.