CLIPS MOVIE REVIEWS

by Roger Tennis

On CLIPS In February, 2013

HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS

ROG'S VIEWPOINT
(3 CAMS) 

RATED R

Fairy tale siblings Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) are now bounty hunters who track down and kill witches. Hired by a village to find missing children, they encounter the evil Muriel (Famke Janssen) - a witch who will become powerful during the fabled Blood Moon. Brother and sister must race against time to save the children while uncovering a secret from their past. "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" is a fast-paced and entertaining matinee adventure. Director Tommy Wirkola ("Dead Snow"), who co-wrote this story with Dante Harper, fills the screen with gore and eye-popping 3D effects. It definitely earns the "R" rating and is not for children. The cast is worthy of this B movie action flick that crams a lot into the rather short 88 min. length. Renner and Arterton are believable as stalwart heroes, equally adept at fighting while delivering tongue-in-cheek humor and goofy dialog completely straight-faced. Famke Janssen makes a vile opponent, but it's Peter Stormare who steals scenes as the villainous village sheriff. Thomas Mann adds an energetic youthful presence as Ben, a teenager who idolizes the witch hunters. The ending sets things up for a sequel, depending on this film's financial success. While not as enticing as a house made of candy, "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" isn't as fractured as some of the past twisted fairy tale updates.