The Huntsman: Winter's War

                Hello happy readers, it's Friday.  Where does the time go?  I feel like the week just started and now it's over.  Sigh.  So I did end up getting up and dressed long enough to go out and see The Huntsman:  Winter's War during the advance day showing since I have to work this weekend.  Also I realized I haven't done a straight movie review other than book to movie ones in a long time and thought this would be fun.  So here goes.

Rating:  5 Stars

                The Huntsman:  Winter's War was one I knew I wanted to see even if I didn't know how it would work given how Snow White and the Huntsman ended.  Spoiler Alert:  Snow beats Ravenna.  But from the trailer it's the story we don't know, I was thinking a prequel story which after seeing the full trailer made sense.  Having come out of the movie I now see it as both a prequel and a sequel.  The story starts prior to the events in Snow White but then as events happy they jump forward in time to a point after the events in that one.  It was done very well and all flowed wonderfully for me so if anyone else had a slight concern on when it happens know it makes sense.

                 We get to meet Ravenna's sister Freya and how her heart is hardened and she becomes the Ice Queen wanting an army of Huntsman who harden their hearts.  She honestly thinks taking in children to train as warriors and teaching them love is an illusion and to be hardened is good.  She's the type of villain who you want to root against but at the same time you kind of understand given her history making her complex.  The love that blossomed between her two best Huntsmen Eric and Sara is not something that can be allowed.  I enjoyed Eric's character in the first movie and I enjoyed getting to know him better and see how he became the Huntsman I knew who helped Snow and the same on getting to meet his Sara.  The chemistry between them was pretty steamy, they are both amazingly good looking people for sure, but it was more.  They way they went back and forth and challenged one another I could see them as a perfect match for one another.  Plus Sara is bad ass! 

                 The plot really held my attention and there was lots of action happening from training, battles, ogres, a quest to find the mirror, and more.  There is also some comedic relief in there as well which I found myself laughing at, not just the dwarfs who did seem there for more laughs than much else, they were interesting and they seemed familiar in the best way.  There were other aspects of the first movie that we see in this as well from the settings in the woods and the mystical type creatures to the mirror itself which was the most unique way I ever saw the mirror portrayed.  The visuals in this are on point.  The magic and how both Freya and Ravenna's powers are portrayed to Freya's mask (love) and the world in general.  High points there for sure for the beauty of it all.    

Pretty!

                 Overall the movie was a fun time and I can't wait to see it again.  Plus the song from the trailer has been on my mind non-stop since first seeing it (Halsey – Castle) and the ending credits played a modified version which was pretty awesome.  I recommend giving it a try!  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the movie down in the comments!

                Until next time….

Wrath of the Titans & Mirror, Mirror

                So yesterday a friend saw that I was bored and decided to take me out so we could have a great time.  We went to the movies of course loaded with sugar to keep us hyper for years.  We had a great night all in all full of sword fighting in line at Wal-Mart with slim jims (I won FYI), and making new friends late at night at the waffle house.  But first the night started with two movies and here are my thoughts on them.

                First we have Wrath of the Titans in 3D.  Now as you all probably already know this is a sequel to Clash of the Titans.  If not…well now you do.  So this movie picks up years after the first.  Perseus is living a normal life raising his son.  Dad Zeus comes to him and tells him he is needed to save both Gods and humans.  The walls of Tartarus are falling and if that happens his dad Kronos , evil titan, will be free to basically kill everything.  He doesn’t go at first wanting to be a father to his son instead but then events make it impossible for him to ignore.

                This is your typical hero movie.  You have the semi-reluctant hero off on a journey to save the universe.  That being said its still awesome.  I really like Greek mythology so anything to do with Gods and Goddesses is always fun for me.  Such great acting by all the cast, I was invested in them.    I thought all the characters had a lot going on, so much emotion and depth and it really came across.  Even one part to which my partner in crime got upset about (yes that’s all I’m saying).  Great action and the 3d was pretty cool, mostly just when things were falling.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                Moving right along we then saw Mirror, Mirror.  Now this movie I went into wanting to see but not 100% sure what to expect.  I knew it was aimed to be more of a cutesy type movie and that’s great, I heart those kinds too.  Basically in summary it’s the Snow White tale told a new way, she isn’t the helpless damsel in distress waiting for the prince to come and save her, she has a more active role in her future.

               

                First I have to say that the evil queen is played by Julia Roberts and WOW.  I am just so accustomed to her being a likable, fun and well…good character to see her play so easily the stuck up, vain, greedy, selfish bitch so well was a shock.  A good one but still a shock.  Maybe it’s that I had just watched Pretty Woman on TV the night before.  Either way she was a great evil queen.  Their take on the magic mirror was really cool I have to say and the effects were pretty cool. 

                For me the movie had a good balance.  There was such great comedic moments, I giggled quite a lot.  It was predictable but still very cute.  So I say if you’re in the mood for a cutesy chick flick type of movie then go on and enjoy Mirror, Mirror.  If you want something more dark and deadly then…well you’re out of luck perhaps when the next Snow White comes out you’ll be good to go.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                Did any of you see either of these this weekend?  Or did you watch The Hunger Games again by chance?  Okay I had to ask I know I’ve seen it twice already.  Either way share your thoughts.  I love to hear what you think.