The
2012 motion picture, Mirror Mirror,
is a modern version of the fairy tale, “Snow White”. The makers of the film use
quite a bit of creative license by making the film a fairy tale, comedy, and
adventure film rolled in one, adding several new components to the storyline, yet
also referencing elements from the traditional fairy tale.
The
basic premise of the film is to present a new version of an old, well-known
fairy tale. It maintains the basic theme of the original story, the ongoing
rivalry between innocent Snow White and her wicked, controlling stepmother, as
well as the happily-ever-after love story between Snow White and the handsome prince.
At the same time, elements of comedy, action, and adventure are included. In
this film, Snow White is presented as a proactive, strong-willed, independent
character. In addition, a more vulnerable and desperate side of the wicked
queen is revealed.
What
is different about this film (from traditional versions) is that once Snow
White is made aware of the queen’s tactics, a mutual and active rivalry between
the two of them actually takes place for the remainder of the film. It’s
interesting that the rivalry begins and ends with an interesting and powerful
phrase, initially whispered in Snow White’s ear by the wicked queen, and at the
end, it is whispered in the queen’s ear by Snow White: “It’s important to know
when you’ve been beaten” (Singh).
Audience
The
film is rated PG, which is pretty accurate. The content is toned-down/decent
enough to be a family-friendly movie, at parents’ discretion, particularly suitable
for older children (i.e. tweens and older). The primary benefit that the audience
will gain from the film is entertainment. The film combines the old with the
new, therefore making it enjoyable and entertaining for a variety of age groups
and interests. This movie is not just a fairy tale. It is a comedy and action/adventure
film as well.
In
addition, the audience can probably relate better to the characters, who are
presented in more of a human light. Their personalities are more quirky and
believable than in traditional fairy tales.
Strengths
and Weaknesses
A
key strength of this film is that it maintains a recognizable story line.
Although there is a great deal of new content, no one has to guess which fairy
tale the story is based on. As in the traditional versions, the king is a
widower, raising Snow White on his own and later remarries. The queen
stepmother is still a wicked, domineering, narcissistic woman who seeks to kill
Snow White. One of her murder plots of ordering her servant to take Snow White
into the woods and kill her, which is foiled by the servant releasing Snow
White into the woods, then bringing back the blood and organs of an animal, is
in keeping with the traditional tale. In addition, the seven dwarfs also remain
a vital part of the film’s storyline, as well as the happily-ever-after ending
for Snow White and the prince.
The
differences, in the form of new and original material, presented in the film,
also prove to be advantageous, giving it a freshness, keeping the audience
captive and wondering what will happen next. The biggest difference is Snow
White. In the traditional versions, the wicked stepmother’s role overshadows
Snow White. However, the makers of this film allow the audience to get to know
Snow White better, to see who she really is. This is vital to the life of the
film and maintaining the audience’s interest. She is by no means the Snow White
of old. While her character remains sweet and compassionate, she is also full
of vitality, much less gullible, courageous, strong-willed, and independent.
This Snow White has a much stronger presence and influence, not only on the
audience, but also on the other characters in the film. She, not her
circumstances, controls her destiny in this film.
The
vulnerability of the queen is a surprise element. When she is informed that she
has blown through all of her money from her former husbands, and is now is
practically broke, she goes to her confidante, the infamous mirror on the wall
(who’s face is a demure version of the queen), humbly asking for advice. The
mirror advices her to marry a rich man quickly because one day, she (the queen)
will ask who’s the fairest of them all and (the mirror warns) she won’t like
the answer (Singh). In desperation, the queen makes it her mission to marry the
young, very rich, prince who is traveling through her kingdom. She convinces
herself that by doing so, her financial problems will be over. Here, the
audience sees this domineering monarch financially vulnerable, afraid that her
poverty will be revealed to the public. She is also in a desperate state,
dependent on men (i.e. her many husbands and any potential husband) to provide
for her financially.
The
addition of comedy and action/adventure is also a strength of this film. While
the comedy keeps the film light-hearted, the action and adventure keep the
audience “awake” and intrigued, wondering what will happen next.
There
are not many obvious weaknesses of this film. Though it is made with a wider
audience in mind, it probably will not appeal to everyone, particularly male
audiences. Despite the comedy, action, and adventure, the story is still
basically a fairy tale love story.Conclusion
Overall,
the film was entertaining. Its off-the-wall humor (i.e. the prince acting like
a puppy after mistakenly and unknowingly being given love potion for puppy
love), action and adventure (i.e. the sword fight between Snow White and the
prince, who are attracted to each other and will eventually become husband and
wife) maintain the interest of the audience and make it a good family film
choice.
Work
Cited
Mirror Mirror.
Dir. Tarsem Singh. Perf. Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan
Lane. Relativity Media, 2012. Film.
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