Kristen Stewart is out and the A-list duo of Jessica Chastain and Emily Blunt are in for The Huntsman: Winter’s War, the prequel-cum-sequel to Snow White And The Huntsman that no one asked for. Save for the talent, this is in no way an improvement on what came before – if anything, it’s a duller and more muddled affair that quickly loses attention. The script lacks depth and the CGI wizardry, though admittedly impressive at times, is only there to cover up the narrative cracks, rather than as an enhancer. Emily Blunt emerges with the most dignity as Freya, an ice queen who’s devastation leads to much of the films fallout and forges the bond between Chris Hemsworth’s returning Huntsman and Chastain as his love interest warrior, who must capture the magic mirror before it causes more harm. It’s all perfunctory, however, and drags without any bite, which is especially disappointing considering the potential that existed for an evil queen bitch-off to end all between Blunt and Charlize Theron’s Ravenna.
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