Review of Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013) by Johnny T — 11 Apr 2014

This film is easily a guilty pleasure film simply for the fun it pokes at pop culture and other similar fantasy action films. For those who care to look past the obvious silliness of the whole affair, there's actually some weird but quality craftsmanship at work. While the trailers suggest a takes-itself-too-seriously Van Helsing clone, this film is well aware of how silly the premise actually is. Gore hounds will relish the sliced appendages count but - with a sharper script - you can't help thinking this could really have cast a spell. Yes, it's utter trash. But if, like me, you've spent weeks sitting through overlong, award-baiting dramas, this gleefully cheesy treat should hit the spot. Wirkola tears through Hansel & Gretel with such giddy abandon, it ends up being splattery fanboy fun. But there's enough visual ingenuity - eye candy, if you will - to make this Hansel & Gretel an intermittently tasty temptation. Much like the candy that lures in Hansel & Gretel, Wirkola's fairy tale transformation is a tasty indulgence - admittedly not for everybody, but a treat for those with the proper sweet tooth. Aside from some very clunky editorial missteps in the film's second half, there's a good deal of wit, enthusiasm, energy, and amusing attitude to be found in the dumb-yet-self-aware Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).