Snow White and the Huntsman

While we had our day out at the Lowry, we also watched Snow White and the Huntsman, a brilliantly conceived alternative to the Disney classic. The sets were incredibly realistic, especially the castles, while the dark forest was as atmospherically ominous as any I have ever seen. The storyline created a much more adult plot, helped along by some great acting. I was especially interested to see the dwarfs, played by such iconic actors as Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, Nick Frost and Toby Jones and others. The best dwarfs since The Time Bandits, even though none of these actors is an actual dwarf! The CGI special effects were for once excellent, especially the troll, and helped to create a special sort of dark fairytale realism.

Charlize Theron, as the wicked queen Ravenna, was especially well cast, at once beautiful, cold and stunningly evil.

Although there were quite a few young children in the audience when we watched this film, it is perhaps a testimony to how good it was that they stayed virtually silent throughout.