Mirror Mirror Review

27th Mar 2012

Snow White is given a new vision (one of two this year) from director Tarsem who has brought his Indian sensibilities along with him. A visual delight with both flashy effect laden landscapes, and nicely designed sets.

The tale has been tweaked very slightly. Snow White is still living under the wicked step-mother who reigns selfishly across the board. The dwarves are here, albeit with very different names and personalities. They are also thieves and not miners. The handsome prince is a bit more daft and adept at getting himself mugged at every turn. But the basic elements remain the same.

Lily Collins is a beautiful and very appropriate Snow White. Yes, she could do with a bit of an eyebrow pluck, but she manages to float throw the film without ever diminishing the standard view on Snow White. To many, Snow White is perhaps the most out of date princess as she is basically a doormat, content to dream and sing through life living the ultimate embodiment of innocence.

Sadly, waif like innocence doesn’t have much toll with modern audiences who demand that all female icons be strong role models for women who don’t put up with any guff from men or wicked stepmothers. The danger in giving Snow White a sharp tongue and a blade is that you could well end up with a story about Snow White that doesn’t actually feature anything resembling the character. Part of what is true to her is that innocence that every other adult loses as they grow up that we are all jealous of someone else having. And Snow White was that person. Luckily though they have given her practical defences without losing the charm of the character. We suspect the next film to feature the character this summer has a harder battle considering the images of Snow White in battle gear that have been bandied about? This one though is dressed elegantly and colourfully from start to finish, and she is quite the stunner.

It’s a triumph then that the film-makers have created this fantasy world with idiot princes, a wonderfully camp performance by Julia Roberts as the wicked stepmother and a modern sense of humour to keep adults happy along the way.

Mirror Mirror is akin to the Drew Barrymore Cinderella effort Ever After which also balanced the content as well as giving it a humorous update. A great double feature right there for fans!

A rousing panto “round of applause” then to this kids film that adults will have no problem with. It will brighten up any darkened day.