Snow White & The Huntsman is the second Hollywood take on the classic fairytale to be released in recent months, with Mirror Mirror being released in April to generally lukewarm reviews and featuring Lily Collins in the title role. Although Mirror Mirror is enjoyable, the whole film had a bit too much going on and there was annoyingly no complete reference of the famous “mirror, mirror, on the wall…” line, which makes the title choice a little baffling.

This version of the story, directed by first time director Rupert Sanders, stars Kristen Stewart in her first major headline role since Twilight, and I have no doubt that many were eager to see what she was capable of. Alongside her as The Huntsman is Chris Hemsworth, who can still be seen strutting his Godly stuff as Thor in Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, which is still breaking cinema records.

As much as Mirror Mirror is an enjoyable, funny telling of the Snow White tale, Snow White & The Huntsman is undoubtedly a better version of the story. It follows the basic Snow White plot; Snow’s father, the King, dies, leaving her locked away from the world by her evil stepmother- wickedly and fantastically portrayed by Charlize Theron- but also adds its own twists. After her prison escape into the enchanted forest, Snow White enlists the help of The Huntsman, who was initially sent by the Queen to kill her, as well as the dwarfs- who provide the light-hearted moments of the film-to create an army to lead into battle to bring down the evil Queen and claim back the thrown which is rightfully hers.

Snow White & The Huntsman is a lot more universal than a lot of other versions, and it lives up to most expectations. The story, although predictable, is good, and the film features some great CGI. The principal issue is Kristen Stewart’s acting. It still seems rigid and wooden, not much better than the start of the Twilight saga, and perhaps someone else would have been more well-suited to the role. Otherwise, the film delivers and will be popular with men and women alike.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.