HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.4|5.0 Stars ìì

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters—spare a sequel, PLEASE—unless we get serious script rewriting that addresses timing issues and cinema-graphic work that tackles issues in blood and gore scenes so unreal that they are not real. The film provides rationale for why a dad would take two children and leave them in the forest to fend for themselves…makes an apparently cruel, original, childhood story into something kind, compassionate, well-thought out, and…well…good. We’ll see if the sequel, which we know is coming because the original made money in box office, is better than its prequel. The film, overall, will be enjoyed by children. It provides an opportunity for discussion between parents and children about assumptions, the many faces of good and evil, poor childhood experiences, and the importance of examining rhetoric in dialogue. We’ll see how Director Tommy Wirkola performs on his sequel.

Storyline

 The story revolves around a grown Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) who, after surviving a hair-raising childhood, now take on one witch at a time (sometimes two or more) to make the world a safer place for villagers.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producers Chris Henchy, Denis L. Stewart, Terje Strømstad, and Tripp Vinson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Father (Thomas Scharff), Small Hansel (Cedric Eich), Small Gretel (Alea-Sophia Boudodimos), Muriel (Famke Janssen), Mina (Pihla Viitala), Edward (Derek Mears), Edward (voice of Robyn Atkin Downes), Adrianna (Kathrin Kühnel), Horned Witch (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal), and Red Haired Witch (Joanna Kulig).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Even though the film earned an exceptionally low rating on Ben Meyers International due to graphics, timing, and writing, it does provide the next evolution in the Hansel and Gretel story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers