Movie rating: 1 and half Star

Mirror Mirror

20120

Had I not been informed by the credits, I'd be forgiven for not marking this technically unimpressive, perpetually smug fairytale down as a Tarsem joint. The visual master hasn’t always had a great grasp of character, but at the very least his aesthetics have always been stunning. Mirror Mirror doesn't just lack his visual panache, it actually looks awful - which is still the least of its worries.
A slight slant on the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, this version see's Snow (Collins) locked up in her room by her self-obsessed step-mother (a grating Roberts), who has been ruling the roost of their once vibrant land since her father popped his clogs. After she's sent to woods to be murdered by Nathan Lane (hard to imagine... unless she's a song that is), Snow manages to escape and find a home amongst seven diminutive muggers in the forest. Somewhere along the road Armie Hammer's Prince Charming turns up, but is more foppish than heroic.
Mirror Mirror hasn't got a clue what kind of film it is; half the time it's a mediocre comedy, the other half bland, straight up fairytale and it never blends the two to cohesion. Roberts seems to be appearing in a different film to everyone else. She obviously had an inkling to make her Queen somewhat likeable, the resulting confusion resulting in a main villain who's more neurotic than dastardly. A good actress could've blended both, but Roberts never really seems arsed and it's a shame that the movie centres more on her indifferent monarch, and less on Lilly's sweet Snow White.
Maybe, somewhat aptly in some regards, Snow White is meant to feel artificial; but even on that malnourished limb it's hard to buy. The sets look very cramped, and there's nothing resembling scale. The budget really must've went on Roberts' wardrobe, because this whole thing feels like it was shot in someone's shed, doubling as a soundstage.
Even the otherwise unwatchable Immortals was stunning to look at, offering abrasive and inviting eyecandy whenever the story lulled; but Mirror MIrror is just plain inept. 

Watch: Mirror Mirror

Review by Mike Sheridan | 16:37 | Friday 6th April 2012 | Movie Review

20120

Comments

• kee

  I'm always baffled that they release films that are this bad. Surely nobody is going to see this once the reviews get out. Was unlucky enough to have my time wasted. Probably expected too much after seeing the new TV series 'Once Upon A Time' and 'Grimm' which puts new slants on the old tales. Avoid

  Posted 13:03 | Fri 30th Mar 2012

• FilmBuff76

  This film looks like it's strictly for young children and families, so I'll be giving it a miss. Snow White And The Huntsman, out on 1st June, looks much darker and more interesting. I prefer darker interpretations anyway. The Sigourney Weaver film Snow White: A Tale Of Terror is well worth tracking down too.

  Posted 13:04 | Sat 31st Mar 2012

• Linda

  I would recommend for children but was ok for adult viewing a little bit cheesy but Julia Roberts plays a great part in it and Lily Collins is very good actor also

  Posted 16:06 | Mon 16th Apr 2012

• sarahjoyce1st

  I found this film very enjoyable for young and old both were laughing throughout the entirety of the film and I found Lily Collins to be well suited to the role of snow white. I would recommend especially for children.

  Posted 16:13 | Sun 22nd Apr 2012

• Mother duck

  ok, this is not for everyone, but my 12yr - 17yr olds loved this movie,... Yeah, the dresses took up most of the budget, but they were fab!

  Posted 21:27 | Sat 28th Apr 2012

• Write On

  The scathing review says more about the reviewer than the movie. I took my six year old to this and (based on this review) expected to endure the film. Instead, I was treated to a new take on a classic story with a sprinkling of grown-up humour. The colours and costumes made for a visual feast. This movie is no Oscar candidate, but it is far from the turkey described by the main reviewer. Go with your kids, relax, enjoy. We did.

  Posted 14:47 | Mon 21st May 2012

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