Mirror Mirror

Movie Review: «Mirror Mirror».

English Title: Mirror Mirror.
Productions: USA, 2012.
Release Date: 30.03.2012 (USA).
Russian Distributor: Paradise (15.03.2012).
Official Website:
Genres: Adaptation / Adventure / Comedy / Family / Fantasy.
Director: Tarsem Singh.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Sean Bean.
Running Time: 106 minutes.

An Indian Origin

Mirror Mirror doesn’t concentrate only on things that are known widely, such as a poisoned apple, a ruthless Queen or a band of kind Dwarves. The story steps further, while retaining the main features of the classics. At times it seems that Tarsem Singh is only retelling the familiar story, but give it an additional look to see that it is a very different version, opening space for the wildest imagination, intriguing characters and memorable adventures.

In one Far Away Land everything was fine, while The King was in charge. His rare episodes went to the British star Sean Bean, and it is always a pleasure to see him acting again. Moreover, some of his scenes might remind you of King Richard the Lionheart in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). He made a mistake, when hooked up with an Evil Queen, which was first named Clementianna, but later on dropped this her title. The film starts with a few animated sketches, which clearly show that the team prepared more surprises for you in the movie than could be expected. Rather than limiting themselves with tight borders, the crew has undertaken a bold experiment, yet staying loyal to the core values of the Family Fantasy genre.

In Mirror Mirror you will not see a poisoned needle like in the original story, but the King’s daughter with pale skin and dark black hair is still named Snow White. The evil stepmother locked her up in the Tower. Later on she decides to kill the poor girl, but not because of her ethereal beauty. The young person just wants to intervene with the Kingdom’s affairs, which had nearly been sent to bankruptcy because of the constant parties thrown by the Queen, who really likes her Royal Chess game, where a wooden ship positioned on a hat has to be destroyed by the cannon fire coming from an opponent’s hat.

Simple and elegant solutions aren’t the only dignities of this movie. The leading role of the Snow White after thoughtful searches went to the 22-year-old English actress – Lily Collins. Her innocent looks and a brave sparkle in the eyes is just what was needed to make an unique character. It shows, how an initially weak and intimidated girl changes her lifestyle joining a band of Dwarven thieves. At the same time, the team making their Snow White and the Huntsman film invited Kristen Stewart from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011) story.

Lily Collins is a good match for the personality of the Snow White. She was successful, when competing with other young girls, while Saoirse Ronan from the U.S. was left out, due to her too young 17 years of age. The heights of sarcasm and self-irony are dominated by the Evil Queen played by Julia Roberts. Quite intentionally, the producers made her change the usual choices and betray the world of kindness. Now you will see a complete contrast to it in the Mirror Mirror film. This Queen is very Evil in her every action. She makes citizens starve to death, but still raises taxes staying merely pragmatic.

Dark magic is her best friend, where she exchanges her beauty for the wizardry tricks. The Evil Queen desperately needs a profitable marriage with the young Prince – Andrew Alcott, which mimics the times of the young Jim Carrey using the acting talent of Armie Hammer from the J. Edgar (2011) political drama.

The Dwarven robbers will steal the Prince too!

Read on further about the second plan cast and the soundtrack of Mirror Mirror.