Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters

Movie Review: «Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters».

English Title: Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters.
Production: USA, 2013.
Release Date: 24.01.2013 (Argentina), 25.01.2013 (USA).
Russian Distributor: Central Partnership (17.01.2013).
Official Website:
Genres: 3D / IMAX / Action / Comedy / Fantasy / Horror.
Director: Tommy Wirkola.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen.
Age Rating: 18+.
Running Time: 100 minutes.

Heroes Do Suffer

The story of the film Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters originates in an uncertain fabulous time filled with gothic atmosphere. Mother and father, here played by Kathrin Kuhnel and Thomas Scharff, are forced to get rid of the children, sending them alone to a dark forest, but not for the reason, which is stated in the source fairy tale. The hungry kids find a Gingerbread House, where there is a wicked witch, attracting young victims with sweets. However, she did not kill guests, but enslaved them to her service, starting to feed Hansel for the future feast.

At one point, they are able to destroy her and escape: the characters grow up and become famous witch hunters, who are respected by many people in Germany for saving the country from the evil mages, who inhabit forests, ponds and swamps. The new contract with the authorities of Augsburg leads them into the city, where they rescue from execution a woman accused in witchcraft. Her name is Mina, and she gets delighted with Hansel. The director could not resist the Finnish actress named Pihla Viitala posing in water with one Renner and no clothes, though the scene is more gentle and romantic than passionate.

Sheriff Berringer heads a local security force. In the Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters film he is played by Peter Stormare, not pleased to meet national heroes and expects them to bring more trouble. Close to Augsburg more children disappear every day, and the hunters feel like the witches are getting ready to some kind of a mysterious ritual in the nearest Stone Circle arena. In the process of further adventures with this story of a brother and a sister, they both meet their biggest fan Ben, befriend a huge troll named Edward, learn more about their childhood and family and confront the Supreme witch Muriel.

Ben was performed by Thomas Mann and makes occasional jokes in continuous action. Edward was enriched with the VO done here by Robin Atkin Downes, and came out to be a gigantic melodramatic character. Muriel is a two-faced witch, courtesy of the Famke Janssen role, who knows a lot and has quite a bunch of evil followers. She wants to make her sisters more powerful, what requires some children souls and also the kind heart of The White Witch. The options are plentiful for the variety among evil characters, for example, The Tall Witch is played by Zoe Bell, but there many more Witches showing different designs.

Still Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters is not all about evil witches, there are good ones too, but we would prefer not to spoil more plot details, since they are more important for this story. Though it is safe to say that Hansel and Gretel get beaten, thrown, decorated with scratches, wounds and bruises on the faces and bodies. By the way, Gemma Arterton has remained in her usual Amazon-type character, which could also be noted in the Quantum of Solace (2008), Clash of the Titans (2010) and then Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010). Peter Stormare here is depicted in the one-sided nature of the grumbler, and, in general, all the dialogues come to be very primitive.

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Rare moments of rest and talking

Read on further to learn about filming and the soundtrack of Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters.