There's good popcorn viewing to be had at the theatre these days. Hunger Games seems to be entertaining the masses, but if that is full you could always see what Tarsem (The Fall, The Immortals) has decided to do with the classic tale of Snow White. As is his style, it involves elaborate popping colours and just enough quirk to keep you going.
For those looking forward to seeing the new Snow White movie, be warned there is another one coming out next month (Snow White and the Huntsman, a.k.a. the good one), so this might not be the one you are expecting. As far as tweaked fairytales go, you've seen worse. This film makes no mistake that they are winking with the audience even going so far as to come out and say the prince has to save the day because it's proven in focus groups.
While the bare bones are taken from the classic story, this rendition features the prince as a well-meaning buffoon, Snow as a feisty sword-swinger, and the dwarves have more in common with the thieving Time Bandits than Disney's candy-coated seven dwarves.
When focused on the colours and costumes, Mirror Mirror hits its stride. When comedic elements come into play, however, the mood seems altered. There are more than a few dry, funny moments that are good, but somehow feel out of place as they wink to the camera.
In the end, this film is entertaining and supporting our local theatre is not the worst thing you can do with today's very limited entertainment dollar.
