Mirror Mirror: The Untold Adventures of Snow White (PG)

Film

Snow-White Mirror-Mirror.jpg

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5
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Time Out says

Tue Apr 3 2012

Once upon a time, kids’ films relished putting the frighteners on the little darlings. But like conkers, scaring children seems to have fallen foul of ’elf ’n’ safety touchy-feely-ness. Even the wicked stepmother (Julia Roberts) in this visually stunning live action ‘Snow White’ is not so much evil incarnate as a Bitch with a capital B. A cougar, she’s got her claws set on Snow White’s Prince Charming (Armie Hammer). ‘He’s rich and built like an ox,’ she sighs lustily. Plenty seem to be taking kindly to ‘Mirror Mirror’ as a fresh and funny film that works for parents and kids, but for me, its knowing sarcasm felt like more of the same lazy humour that passes for funny in so many PG films.

Snow (she’s dropped the White) is a princess in the revisionist mould – not a simperer but a swashbuckler. She’s sent into the forest with a blundering lackey, not a huntsman, after complaining about the lot of the peasants. Lily (daughter of Phil) Collins is pleasant in the role, but it’s Roberts who’s the star, camping it up outrageously in dazzling costumes. ‘Mirror Mirror’ is as gaudily spectacular as you expect if you’ve seen director Tarsem Singh’s films, ‘The Fall’ and ‘Immortals’.

As for the dwarves, they’ve fallen into bad habits since Disney. Dressed like ninjas, they’re bandits, tricking victims into believing they’re giants with extendable legs. The swords and thievery have clearly been added to lure boys into the cinema. Judging by the dad I spotted patting his son on the shoulder (‘Next time we’ll see a boys’ film’), I’m not sure it worked.

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Release details

Rated:

PG

UK release:

Fri Apr 6 2012

Duration:

106 mins

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 3/5 (9 ratings)
  • I have to say my mother and I thoroughly enjoyed this film. As for the negative comments from others, I am not at all sure why anyone would find this film anything other than immensely entertaining. It really was captivating on many levels. I will look forward to seeing it again at some point. As for Ian's comments, I rather think you saw a different film from us. I reckon this film is not for killjoys like you.

    Carla Volante Wed May 9 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • Pleasing enough, if a little cheapo looking in places (though I'm sure it wasn't) The credits are a toe curling joy so don't miss those. On word - fun. 6+/10

    scrumpyjack Mon Apr 30 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • I found this a very enjoyable watch, a good all rounder for the family. I enjoyed Julia Roberts as the wicked whitch!

    JayneM Sat Apr 14 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • @"Miles". Are you on drugs, as you ramble? I'm not sure it was wise to correct someone else on their review when your own is a mess - incoherent, lacking in structure, and without punctuation.

    At_Miles Fri Apr 13 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • julia is pathetic -and archgate i hope you mean '''enunciation ''lolz .maybe the 7 dwarves ate it like they should have julia too

    miles Thu Apr 12 2012
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  • worsy movie of the year -

    miles Thu Apr 12 2012
    Rated as: 1/5
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  • The Time Out film front page précis says it all - 'visually stunning' it certainly is - the sets and CGI are excellent. The humour's good too. Judging by the packed cinema at Cineworld Shaftesbury Avenue last night this is a very, very popular film. Literally no seats as the lights  went down. 

    Sam Mon Apr 9 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • Julia Roberts is very good in this enjoyable yarn. Her unciation cracked me up. She crunches her vowels in spectacular fashion. The bird and the geezer who star are also pretty good. One of the dwarves is a bit pervy . but that may be understandable given his challenges in life .. but he was probably harmless. Enjoy it.

    ARCHGATE Fri Apr 6 2012
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  • A good film for both adults and children. Though far from true to the original tale, this is a good 21st century take on it. I went to see it late afternoon and saw/heard plenty of adults and children chuckling away. The humour's dry enough for adult, with a number of very very subtle sexual innuendos kids would never twig. Great entertainment for the Easter break. -- @"Ian": Are you sure about your ability to write a simple review? That's a 55 word sentence you've got there mid-way, with no less than 4 "and"s, and no punctuation. PS What are "dwares"?

    Violet Fri Apr 6 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • I am not sure what film Mike saw but my recollections of it are slightly different to his. It starts well and Roberts is very good. After five minutes I thought perhaps we have another Princess Bride here with a genuinely funny and tongue in cheek fairy tale. Sadly it goes downhill from there. Collins ia a pleasant enough Snow White yet she never totally convinces. Pretty as she is there is someting missing from her performance and Hammer whilst he looks the part struggles to act his way out of a paper bag let alone strike you as a leading man. The dwares are both annoying and irritating and the films middle where Snow White finds her inner girl power and the really not very endearing dwarves and her bond over fight lessons strikes me as an added thought from a focus group to tick a demographic box rather than being in the film on merit. Towards the end I was genuinely wishing it was all over. Sean Bean seems somewhat embarassed and his scenes at the end don't really work. Also the awfully cliched yet lets add it for no apparent reason "Bollywood" dance finale left me wanting to throw stuff at the screen. Two stars for me. It must really make more of an effort. If you have kids and are at a loose end go see the Pirates instead.

    Ian Fri Apr 6 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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