Movie Review: “Mirror Mirror”

Relativity Media, 2012
Director: Tarsem Singh
PG, 106 min.

Reviewed by Alexys Butler, 17
Massachusetts

When first going to Mirror Mirror I did not have many expectations. I just believed that it was going be a plain adaptation of Snow White--orphaned princess with an evil stepmother who envies Snow White’s beauty and power, so she hires a henchman to kill and dispose of the girl.  I soon came to discover that Mirror Mirror was different.

Not only was Snow White (Lily Collins) beautiful and gracious, she was a fighter. The kitchen staff in the castle really helped her believe in herself and they made her come to realize that she was not meant to stay in the kingdom forever.  This adaptation of Snow White truly emphasized a time of stepping out of the crowd and becoming the courageous one. Snow White becomes her own person and she faces her fear of leaving the kingdom. In this adaptation of the film, Snow White learns more from the dwarfs than the original. Instead of her being the mother for the dwarfs and taking care of them, singing to the birds, and making their food, the dwarfs teach Snow White how to defend herself and they show her how important she is to them. She does cook for them in the film, but her homemaker role in the movie is less emphasized.

The Evil Queen (Julia Roberts) is typically a flat and reserved character, yet she narrates this story and is given an intricate backstory and secrets which are revealed in the final moments of the film. Other characters also receive more in-depth roles in the film, including the Seven Dwarfs and Snow White’s father. 

Mirror Mirror not only documents triumph, courage, and a love story, it’s a different spin on the traditional tale. Yes, Snow White falls in love with Prince Charming and marries him, but you also see more pieces of her personal struggle in the film. The movie isn’t completely about her being a damsel in distress as Disney portrayed her years ago; it’s about Snow White finding herself and helping others.

The Walt Disney adaptation of Snow White did not have special effects or amazing graphics. Mirror Mirror has all of that and more. The silver mirror that the Evil Queen looks into still holds the same amount of significance, but it has gotten a makeover that all will enjoy.  The mirror’s makeover makes it more influential than ever before; its strengthened ability serves an instrumental part in the movie. The special effects are most prominent in reference to the actual mirror and action scenes in the Forbidden Forest. Both the kingdom and the Forbidden Forest looked amazing. Castle bedrooms were gorgeous with breathtaking scenery and ever-changing weather scenes. The Forbidden Forest was a winter-covered forest with a five-foot-tall house for the dwarfs. The house had a clubhouse feel to it with a many mini furniture sets.  The village beyond the kingdom was that of an Oliver Twist setting.

For those who know the story of Snow White, you’ll still find something worthwhile in watching this film.  It’s the perfect combination of action, love, and comedy.