A surprisingly fun action gore-fest

Rating: 8/10 (12 June 2013)

I didn't honestly think I would enjoy Hansel and Gretel. The trailers somehow just didn't appeal to me and I still have trouble accepting Jeremy Renner as a lead star. Even when I started the movie I still wasn't sure but by the end I was definitely sure...it was a blast. Silly at times? Absolutely. And I think entirely on purpose. An absolute R Rated gore-fest splatter-house that I was not expecting at all. I wasn't sure it fit the tone of the film or that it was necessary but you know sometimes its just plain fun to have a just for adults movie that is a guilty pleasure like this one. It was like a Disney Fairytale completely corrupted and torn apart, and I mean that positively. The special effects were decent although sometimes a little over the top but then again everything about this movie was excessive and over the top. The weapons were huge and ridiculous, the characters (especially the witches) were almost campy at times but I swear it was all on purpose. I read a review on here that actually compared this film to Evil Dead and I completely see that!! I mean, the budget is 50 times that of Evil Dead but the campy fun and exaggerated characters and special effects...it was simply fun.
I don't dislike Jeremy Renner as an actor. However, I think the guy has struggles to be the leading man. I'm not sure he has the charisma on screen to be THEE guy. He's a good supporting actor (Ghost Protocol, Avengers etc) but I'm not a huge fan yet. However...that being said this was a step in the right direction. His fast talking, quick witted, sarcastic Hansel was fun and a strong character. He still wasn't the best of the twosome. Gemma Arterton was a kick butt heroine. She was like Xena, Buffy, and She-Ra all rolled into one. She showed an intensity and charisma on screen that made her shine in every scene. Pihla Viitala plays Renner's love interest and a mysterious girl that comes to their aid. She does alright in the role but I felt like her role was entirely unnecessary. She was strictly there for a romance and for an obligatory R Rated nude scene. Her performance felt unwarranted. Famke Janssen plays the witch leader and is a great over the top villain. She is not someone who normally plays the villain and she nails it while being completely campy at times but in all the best ways. The multi-talented Zoe Bell also deserves honourable mention as one of the main witches. She looks great and does a decent job without a lot of depth to her character.
Bucking the rule of thumb that states a writer who directs his own movie does an awful job Tommy Wirkola crafts an incredibly entertaining experience. While I have not seen Dead Snow I've heard that it is an excellent film and he clearly has a handle on how to craft a funny, dark, twisted fairy tale with a ton of action. He uses the fairly large budget (50 Milllion) to the best of his ability and it works. I can see that this film wouldn't be for everyone. A peer of mine stated that they thought the acting in the film was just awful but I didn't get that at all. I think it all breaks down to how purposely campy the film was designed to be. I think a sequel would be great to watch but at the same time I don't think they could capture what they did here. Is it a brilliant movie? No not brilliant but entirely entertaining and sometimes there is nothing wrong with that. If you're looking for a good R Rated fun night in then this one should fulfil those expectations thoroughly. 8.5/10