Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron, Nick Frost, Sheridan Smith, Alexandra Roach, Rob Brydon, Sam Hazeldine, Robert Portal, Sope Dirisu, Annabelle Dowler, Colin Morgan, Ralph Ineson, Liam Neeson.

Winter is always coming; it just depends on how far you are willing to go in which to protect yourself against the savagery of war that plunges mortal beings into the ways of the warrior. Frost calls and the Huntsmen go in search of more lands to steal; it might not sound like a fairy tale but The Huntsman: Winter’s War is no story in which to consult The Brother’s Grimm over, this is a made up sequel of its own creation.

Whilst the story in many ways feels stifled, constricted by its own elaborate plot and need to steer away from certain boundaries involving the character of Snow White, it nevertheless charms the audience in other ways, the need for a sense of humour that was misplaced in the original, the introduction of more interesting characters and the telling of a tale that whilst bound was allowed to scale a different height, one that may have caught out the producers but nonetheless was welcome.

By involving the superb Sheridan Smith and Alexandra Roach as two female dwarfs and the delightful Emily Blunt in an exquisite role which allows for some depth, the story is allowed to flourish unexpectedly. It is though that the two main stars of the film, Jessica Chastain and Chris Hemsworth that many will perhaps be disappointed with, especially with the lack of chemistry they had on screen, disturbing as they were meant to be in love with each other. There was more chemistry between Mr. Hemsworth and almost every other female supporting actor, especially in the antagonism that lay fruit between him and Charlize Theron’s Ravenna and the cheeky nods forthcoming from Ms. Smith.

Inhibited by outside events, there really was only one way to go with the film and when other factors are taken into consideration it becomes a pleasant enough way to spend a couple of hours without having to think too hard about the possible downfalls that lay in wait for the heroes on their quest. That though is where the series should end, if not on a high note but at least one that has muddled its way to the finale without letting down the fans too much; no doubt though money and contracts will talk, after all a good fairy tale never truly ends, for nobody lives Happily Ever After forever.

Ian D. Hall