The Huntsman: Winter's War is partly a prequel, but mostly a sequel to the movie Snow White and the Huntsman, which basically ignores Snow White. Kristen Stewart is shown in one flash at the beginning of the movie using footage from the first movie, but after that, Snow White is not seen again. The prequel part of the movie, in the beginning, is basically an origin story for the ice queen Freya (played by Emily Blunt) who is the sister of Queen Ravenna, and Eric/The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) and his love Sara, played by Jessica Chastain. Then, the movie jumps to a point after the events of the first movie in which Snow White has fallen ill (explaining her absence), and William (Snow White's husband) tasks Eric with retrieving the Mirror before Freya can use its power.
For those who get the blu-ray, the movie looks and sounds great in HD. Of course, there are a lot of CGI special effects that look awesome in the HD format. The disc includes two versions of the movie, the theatrical, and an extended edition that adds a little over six minutes to the movie. The additions are pretty negligible and do not change the story at all. For extras, there is a commentary track on the movie by the director, deleted scenes, and a gag reel, that each clocks in just under 10 minutes, and then a five-part making-of documentary that runs about a half-hour in total.
Overall, the movie is good, but because of Stewart essentially being fired, it is really disconnected from the first movie. Chastain and Blunt do step into their roles well and Charlize Theron is again awesome as Ravenna. Hemsworth does a good job in the leading role and thus Snow White's absence is not felt as much as I thought it would be when it was announced the movie would be made without her.
For those who get the blu-ray, the movie looks and sounds great in HD. Of course, there are a lot of CGI special effects that look awesome in the HD format. The disc includes two versions of the movie, the theatrical, and an extended edition that adds a little over six minutes to the movie. The additions are pretty negligible and do not change the story at all. For extras, there is a commentary track on the movie by the director, deleted scenes, and a gag reel, that each clocks in just under 10 minutes, and then a five-part making-of documentary that runs about a half-hour in total.
Overall, the movie is good, but because of Stewart essentially being fired, it is really disconnected from the first movie. Chastain and Blunt do step into their roles well and Charlize Theron is again awesome as Ravenna. Hemsworth does a good job in the leading role and thus Snow White's absence is not felt as much as I thought it would be when it was announced the movie would be made without her.
