The Huntsman: Winter's War
for fantasy action violence and some sensuality.
Reviewed by: Gabriel Mohler
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teens Adults |
| Genre: | Action Adventure Fantasy |
| Length: | 1 hr. 54 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2016 |
| USA Release: |
April 22, 2016 (wide—3791 theaters) DVD: August 23, 2016 |
| Featuring |
Chris Hemsworth … The Huntsman Jessica Chastain … Sara Charlize Theron … Ravenna Emily Blunt … Freya Nick Frost … Nion Sam Claflin … William Ralph Ineson … Bar Keeper Colin Morgan … Duke of Blackwood Sophie Cookson … Pippa Sheridan Smith … Mrs. Bromwyn See all » |
| Director | Cedric Nicolas-Troyan — “Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012), “The Ring” (2002) |
| Producer |
Joe Roth Roth Films Universal Pictures |
| Distributor |
Prequel/Sequel: “Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012)
This prequel/sequel to the PG-13 take on Snow White did not disappoint. In some ways it is better than “Snow White…,” in some ways it isn’t as good, but it evens out for the most part, and I think this one may even be a little bit better. Of course, the first one is no masterpiece, but it is still moral, well-made, and entertaining. I found “Winter’s War” to be a bit slower, but it also has more depth. The casting choices couldn’t have been better, bringing Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain into the series.
The plot is so simple, yet so complex at the same time. It shows us the origin of the Huntsman, incorporates the Snow Queen into the story, and lays out many clever twists as the huntsman and his would-be love set out on a quest to find the magic mirror. This film has MUCH more character development than the first. There is also more time spent on things like relationship conflict and worldview than stunning visuals.
It’s also less intense than the first film. The first had scenes of creepy, twisted forests and big, ugly monsters; whereas much of the peril in the second comes from Freya’s ice powers. The violence in “Winter’s War” is milder, too, with very little blood. Still, there are some thrilling fantasy moments, two skeletons found in the forest, and adrenaline-pumping fight scenes.
The is more language and sexual content than in the first, but that’s not saying much. Most of the off-color language is British (“b*gger,” “b*llocks,” “w*nker”), but there is one b-word, “a**,” “p*ss off,” “hell” (2), and a misuse of God’s name.
Sexual immorality is either ambiguous or frowned upon. When we find out that Freya (Emily Blunt) had a child outside of wedlock, the narrator specifically says that she was loveblind. It proves to be even more of a mistake when she is betrayed—a good reminder that sin will always betray us, no matter how pleasant it may seem. After this, Freya becomes opposed to all forms of love, and the story shows us how she learns to love the right way. This makes for a very thought-provoking conflict. Warrior Sara (Jessica Chastain) and the Hunstman (Chris Hemsworth) share a few brief moments of under-clothed sensuality, but sex doesn’t seem to be implied, at least to me. It would have been difficult for them to do it in the settings they were in.
Like the first film, this isn’t amazing. But I found it satisfying. The inappropriate moments are brief and few, the positive messages are strong, and clear lines are drawn between good and evil. The protagonists, though lacking discretion in certain areas, turn out to be commendable people. In short, it’s everything a fairy tale should be. How much you liked the first one should probably determine whether you see this in theaters or wait for the DVD.
Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Moderate
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Biblically speaking, there is fantasy-action violence, but it is barely graphic. There are two scenes of implied sexuality, but the first one is more discreet than the second one, which while eschewing nudity, still shows a lot. There is some mild language, but nothing above a PG level.
If you like “Maleficent,” “Snow White and the Huntsman” or any fantasy themed film, you will enjoy “The Huntsman: Winter’s War.” There are two versions of the film: the theatrical release and the Extended Cut, which adds a few more minutes. As to which version is better, that is entirely your own opinion, but I recommend the Extended Cut for a very brief scene late in the film that pays off a scene earlier in the picture.
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
I liked the plot story of this 2nd movie of the Snow Queen and how it all happened. For the sexual content, however that’s another story. Of course, you see Eric and his love Sara making out in the hot springs bath outside (nude), there was nothing really shown, but you can tell they were wearing nothing, it was annoying hearing the sloppy kissing and the water splashing around. The 2nd love making scene is when she is in an emotional wreck, and he comforts her, which led to making out and which led to… you know.
Her partial nudity of chest was showing after undressing, not all was shown but there was a lot of skin of both her and Eric. I’m not surprised that Hollywood has to have nudity and cleavage in every movie they create. It’s sad how so many actors are used as objects to show of the body to make the cut for the movie. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be respected and not objectified for fame and popularity.
Sex is holy gift from God to wife/husband to bring life into the world, not to display in public and for one’s pleasure. Every movie that happens to come on TV or a movie trailer is trashed by trying to sexualize/porn and pervert everything. I liked the movie but I’m getting pretty sick of seeing Ravena everywhere and would’ve been better if they didn’t have nudity of the characters. Love does conquer all, and that was a good image, to die and sacrifice for whom you love and willing to die for a beautiful selfless purpose. I loved the song, at the end, which was super catchy. Not bad as I thought, at first, of the movie, probably because I didn’t like the first one.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
It was an extreme example of how we need to move on from those things, although her not having Christ, much harder to even fathom forgiveness. I didn’t hate the movie. I walked out of one at the theater after 10 minutes, this was not one of those films. It was well made for its genre. It was frustrating how half of the time you couldn’t understand the main actor’s accent but overall it was better then I expected it to be.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
In “Snow White and the Huntsman,” the evil Queen had a brother named Finn. She didn’t have a sister.
In that movie it was also quite obvious that the Huntsman’s wife was dead. It was even mentioned he came home to find her murdered.
This “sequel” has decided to totally change both of those plot details. Or else the film—makers just forgot about them. Did they not watch the first movie at all?
All of a sudden, in “Winter’s War,” the evil Queen has a sister but no brother, and the circumstances of the Huntsman’s “wife” death are—utterly absurd and ridiculous.See all »
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.
Love, on the other hand, is that ancient power, far greater than magic, that can never be defeated. In a certain respect, it is a magic of a completely different kind that is incomprehensible to the darkness and controlling magic practiced by demons. The dynamic of characters in this movie reminded me strongly of how Aslan and the inhabitants of Narnia is depicted when fighting against the white witch, and the lead witch in this film (or Snow White’s step-mother) reminded me very much of Queen Jadis in C.S. Lewis” the Magician’s Nephew.
Now to the explanation of my first statement above. Eric the huntsman, played by Chris Hemsworth, did remind me, to a degree, of Aslan, who would never, ever, ever give up on someone, even though they had betrayed him (watch the entire movie and you’ll see what I mean). Why can’t Hollywood make more films where men are depicted as virtuous and kind, instead of shallow? This movie did just that. Yet, it didn’t stop at showing the light side to men, but gave due treatment to the love, respect and faithfulness that all women truly desire and need in a man. This was depicted in the relationship between Eric and Sara. If any of you are virtuous men and happened to watch Malevolent with your stomach churning, thinking: “Why would a man act so deplorably towards his love?” this movie will give you just the opposite feeling!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5