Enter the dawn of turning every single fairy tale into action-packed movies. First, we had “Snow White and the Huntsman”, then there was “Red Riding Hood”, and now “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters”. But if you expect any of these to mirror the original fairy tale from whence it came, then prepared to be surprised. The only thing we can always be sure of is a “happy ever after” at the end of each said movie.
“Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” is an adaptation of the popular Brothers Grimm story, starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton.
Jeremy Renner plays Hansel whereas Gemma Arterton plays Gretel, and in the film the siblings are all grown up, 15 years into the future after having survived the gingerbread house horror. But because they’ve had a taste of their first “witch kill” when they were just children, they’re now trained to become witch hunters (and witch killers).
The witches they hunt and then kill are more than just a bunch of wrinkly, crooked nose, Disney-esque “hocus pocus” characters. In fact, they kinda look like a child’s worst nightmare – dark with a gothic tinge.
Like we said, don’t expect it to mirror the original fairy tale. You best be expecting blood and violence on top of some profanities. Think “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and you’ll get the idea.
As for the sibling duo, well, no modern-day fairy-tale-inspired film would be complete without an upgrade. Hansel and Gretel literally doesn’t leave a room without their weapons (read: firearms). And although they’re mere mortals, it seems as though they’re gifted with super fast healing rates and extremely high thresholds for pain.
Somewhere along the way, Gretel discovers the secret behind their near-immortal states – a secret from the past that could either continue to work in their advantage or it could easily sabotage their integrity as witch hunters. Also, there’s that other thing where Hansel “accidentally” falls in love with a..wouldn’t you like to find out?
It’s good to know that director Tommy Wirkola has decided to take this one from a different angle. “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” definitely turned out way better than we had expected it to. Go on and be pleasantly surprised when you catch it in a cinema near you! While you’re at it, we suggest you catch it in IMAX 3D because that’s how it should roll, yo.
“Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” will be released nationwide on 24th January 2013 (Thursday).
For more information, visit the movie’s official website.