'The Huntsman: Winter’s War' review: Looks like a female-powered film, but don't be fooled

Rating: ** 1/2

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt, Charlize Theron

Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan

Sitting through The Huntsman is a mixed bag of emotions. An unnecessary sequel/prequel to the trite Snow White and the Huntsman, one wonders a million things. Why was it made? Why did this talented ensemble agree to be a part of this? Does Hemsworth need another hair advert in the guise of a film? (He already has the hammer-yielding Thor). Thank god Frozen got to the Ice Queen first.

This time round, the revision to the Grimms Brothers' character implies the Ice Queen Freya (Blunt) is Ravenna's (Theron) sister, who, aghast at the loss of her baby, decides to raise an army of children. Eric (Hemsworth) and Sara (Chastain) are part of that initial lot. Love is, of course, forbidden but when such pretty faces are involved, it thrives. Fast forward to the post-Snow White world (missing Kristen Stewart who was booted from the project), and Eric is on a quest to seek and hide the dastardly famous mirror from Freya with the help of some sexist dwarves.

From the face of it, it would appear to be a female-powered film, but don't be fooled.

It's all about Hemsworth and how he wins over his love while fighting the cartoonish and whispering-for-some-reason female villains. Sure, Hemsworth is charming and goofy at times, but the straitjacketed Freya and Ravenna in their metallic regalia seem to be peddling dribble. Chastain is a powerhouse, but her character is too black and white for nuances. One standout is Mrs Bromwyn (Sheridan Smith), a mercenary dwarf who almost does not fit to stereotype.

If the effort that director Nicolas-Troyan put into CGI (he was the effects guy in the prequel) had gone into the plot, this may have turned out differently. But as it stands, it's time to let the Ice Queen go and for Hemsworth to pick up something more sophisticated than a hammer or pickaxe.