Movie Review: 'Mirror, Mirror' The Fairest of All

Julia Roberts' narration and intermittent, verbalized subtext (the reality contrary to what is seen) lets us know that this is no average interpretation of the updated and entertaining version of Grimm's fairytale, Snow White in Mirror Mirror. The dazzling, cinematic effects are just as much of a part of the time as was last century's Disney animation. Each appropriate in its respective time.

Julia Roberts has finally found her niche, as the sarcastic, grumbling villain's, Queen Clementianna. This is no squinting-eyed, evil cackling, moustache twisting villain. Her evil is a more nuanced type of evil. Yes, the backstory revels that this evil step-mother and Queen by marriage has already destroyed Snow White's father the King, usurped the throne which Snow White is heir to, spent their money and turned all the King's subjects into 99 per center's, dirt-poor with their nose-to-the-grindstone for her decadent luxuries. All of which are inexcusable, but for the moment, the Queen can't help it. She is a victim of her shallowness, vanity and megalomania. Julia Roberts is back! As many actors experience a lull after the pinnacle of receiving an Academy Award, her: Charlie Wilson's War, Mona Lisa's Smile, Eat Pray Love, and last year's Larry Crowne, were not the commercial success's thatMirror Mirror, will likely be (at least in comparison). Her acting talent's were no less in all these roles, but after being the 90's top female A-List actor, from the romantic darling of Pretty Woman and My Best Friend's Wedding to her Oscar winning performance in Erin Brocovich. It's sometimes hard for Oscar winners' to find the script, role and commercial and/or critical success needed to redefine an encore role.

Snow White or just " Snow" as they shorten it to, is played by Lily Collins, daughter of singer, Phil Collins. She plays the fair-skinned Princess, dominated by the Queen and her caterpillar brows. Head of the  staff is played by Mare Winningham, who has a scene cinching up Roberts in an medieval corset, reminiscent of Mammy squeezing Scarlet into her 1850's corset. The staff love the Princess and encourage her to listen to the people; instead of feeling emotionally paralyzed by the Queen.

Prince Andrew Alcott is portrayed by the truly charming Armie Hammer, great-grandson of legendary industrialist, art-connoisseur and philanthropist Armand Hammer. Armie Hammer glistens with sparkling eyes and teeth and could be a future, People's Magazine, "Sexiest Man Alive". He starred as Billy Graham in, Billy: The Early Years and played the Winkelvoss twins in The Social Network and was elegantly beautiful as the subtle, intimate companion to Leonardo DiCaprio in the Oscar snubbed, J. Edgar.

Snow is exiled from the kingdom, as the Queen wants the Prince for herself. The dwarfs help Snow gain confidence, after a make-over like a gay, hair and make-up artist. A contrast to their bandito image in the Forest. These are no "Heigh-Ho, it's off to, work we go," whistling little people. They are very contemporary characters. No "Dopey " here. To much potential for double-entendres. They have collapsible, accordion style stilts, and do somersaults.

Indian Director Tarsem Singh, relocated to the USA to study business at Harvard, but won a scholarship to the Art Center College of Design.  "I saw a book in India titled Guide to Film Schools in America, and it shell-shocked me. It changed my life, because I thought you went to college to study something that your father loved and you hated. I called him and said, 'I want to study film,' and he said, 'You don't exist anymore'." He directed music videos for Brittney Spears and Beyonce`.  The Indian flare comes out in Snow's arbian night pants as she becomes acclamated in the forest; and also the musial numbers have an slight Indian music background. Singh's done other features and has made this new take on Grimm's fairytale delightfully entertaining.

See other reviews by Cheyenne Chasen ) and see a trailer of the film above in the Gallery.