Mirror Mirror

For many, it would seem that Armie Hammer has had a raw deal. The highlight of his career, surely, is his side role in David Fincher's The Social Network (or should I say, roles as he played both Vinklevoss twins). Anyway, he has since gone on to appear in many flops such as The Lone Ranger and the film we are going to talk about, Mirror Mirror, not accrued the best reputation since. Except everyone is wrong, Armie Hammer is amazing and his films are fantastic. With everyone excited for The Man from U.N.C.L.E because, let’s face it, it looks incredible.

Arriving on the scene with Snow White and the Huntsman and directed by The Fall’s Tarsem Singh, Mirror Mirror tells a different side to the Snow White fairy-tale and was brushed aside so wrongly. The film centres on the princess and tells the tale of her strife with wicked Stepmother the Queen who lavishes her own vanity with all the riches of the kingdom. With the people nearly impoverished by her gluttony and greed, The Queen plans to marry a Prince in order to square the finances. But he seems interested in Snow White and the only way to get what she wants is to send her out and murder her. Thwarting the attack, Snow meets seven dwarf bandits and

Why is it Bad?

Look, I know that this is the time where I should talk about how horrible the movie is but talk about its decency in other places, but I genuinely don’t have the heart with this one. I love it so much that I believe its reputation had a few beatings and it struggled to find a voice in the industry. Whilst some may lament about the unoriginality and hammy storyline, romping across the Grimm’s original tale with a flare of the over top, it actually never seems to hinder the final product. True, it isn’t the best movie, thematically and isn’t Oscar worthy, but that is simply not the case.

Why is it Good?

For a start, Julia Roberts as Queen Clementianna is having the best time and that air of hilarity bounces along, riling the atmosphere with this incredible comedy alongside Nathan Lane as her butler who always makes films a million times better. Armie Hammer genuinely enhances this film with such charm, it’s an unforgettable performance, particularly when he is enthused with the personality of a puppy and literally laps up the part that, when he licks Roberts, you can tell that a lot of fun was had on set. The twist on the dwarves, turning them from caricatures into this fuller characters who have purpose other than fawning over snow, is a wickedly good choice. Lily Collins has enough daring kindness to 

caring the weight of the famed role too, proving that even her recent adventures in cinema (Love, Rosie and The Mortal Instruments) weren't a testament of her talent. The cast bite into the tale and flesh it out with juicy sweetness, you can’t help but love this film in its aching gorgeousness as it drips with much spirit and comedy.