Several months from its release, there’s no way to pass any final judgment on The Huntsman: Winter’s War, the gaudy sequel to Snow White and The Huntsman. It’s still possible that it’s going to be an absolute trainwreck. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that seeing Emily Blunt as an evil ice queen riding a polar bear has all but sealed my purchase of a ticket.
There are a lot of things stacked against The Huntsman. It looks like an insanely over-the-top fantasy bawd-fest. But there’s also plenty working in its favor. If the dialogue doesn’t improve over the rough sledding of Snow White and The Huntsman, at least this one will give us a profoundly better cast. The addition of Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain makes this an ultimate romp for badass women of action.
And the action does look big, for lack of a better word.
Here’s some official synopsis business: “Discover the story that came before Snow White in The Huntsman: Winter’s War. Chris Hemsworth and Oscar® winner Charlize Theron return to their roles from Snow White and the Huntsman, joined by Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain.
Theron stars as evil Queen Ravenna, who betrays her good sister Freya (Blunt) with an unforgivable act, freezing Freya’s heart to love and unleashing in her an icy power she never knew she possessed. Retreating to a kingdom far to the north, Freya raises an army of Huntsmen as her protectors, with the only rule that no two of them should ever fall in love.
As a war for domination escalates between the two queens, the hero standing between them is Freya’s most elite Huntsman, Eric (Hemsworth). Alongside fellow warrior Sara (Chastain)—the only woman who has ever captured his heart—Eric must help Freya vanquish her sister…or Ravenna’s wickedness will rule for eternity.
Producer Joe Roth (Maleficent, Alice in Wonderland) once again leads the team in this breathtaking prequel in the legendary saga that is directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan. This spring, find out who will win the war between good and evil in the epic action-adventure The Huntsman: Winter’s War.”
The Huntsman: Winter’s War is due in theaters on April 22.
