Snow White and the Huntsman – 7.5

For those hungering for more Lord of the Rings, this is your ticket: mass movements of armies on horseback, trees that move, morphing birds, little people with pleasing personalities, scads of black magic, aerial pull-away photography and a sincere and pure heir of a kingdom on a quest. I don’t mean to diminish Snow White – after all, LOTR set quite a high bar, and to play in its league is quite an achievement. The comparison is more to locate this film in its proper context: this is not your grandma’s Snow White, and there is no Dopey or Snoopy whistling while you work. The story is by the myth-book and the outcome is never in doubt, but what makes this movie stand out is the classic beauty of almost every shot on the way. The galloping horses took my breath away and the costumes and court ceremonies were illuminated manuscripts come to life. Charlize Theron was the acting star. Kristen Stewart was merely acceptable in a role that would have better suited Keira Knightley ten years ago. I think I could watch this again, with the sound turned off.