Mirror Mirror

Mirror Mirror

(Tarsem Singh, 2012)

Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: A scattershot tone and flat character development can't distract from the jovial - if throwaway - feel of Tarsem Singh's lush 'Mirror Mirror'

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It's hard to believe this was directed by the man who did 'The Cell'. While that underrated breakout was a grim but visually intoxicating descent into an insane mind, 'Mirror Mirror' feels just intoxicated. It could even be described as giddy.

A refreshing movie that does no harm, 'Mirror Mirror: The Untold Adventures of Snow White' benefits from a great triple header cast: Charming newcomer Lily Collins (daughter of Phil) plays the naive young heroine of the title, Julia Roberts has a ball as the vain Queen and 'The Social Network' star Armie Hammer steals the show as the pompous Prince Alcott who finds himself caught amid the power play between both women.

Throw in some dwarves, a stagey woods locale, some lush set design (including a game of chess with human pieces) and an overuse of naff CGI and an enjoyable but uneven film threatens to keep coming in and out of focus.

You get the feeling that this was meant to be kids' film but when the director of 'The Fall' and 'Immortals' takes charge, it's hard to know what tone or target audience is in his sights. This is the cinematic equivalent of having dinner in an amazingly beautiful restaurant but feeling bad when they bring out the wrong dish.

Check out the trailer and stills from the theatrical run of 'Mirror Mirror' HERE at Cinemas Online.

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