REVIEW: Sci-fi fairytale proves predictable

Keeping with the recent trend of taking childhood fairytales and transitioning them from paperback to the big screen, “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” blends fantasy and action following the grown-up version of Hansel and Gretel. Hunting down witches throughout the land and racing to stop an ancient witch coven from enacting an evil ritual, which they are unknowingly connected to, the movie took off with a bang in the box office.

Let’s begin by getting the negative factors out of the way: This movie is far from making the A list. The acting and funny lines come off as campy at times, and the story line is somewhat predictable. The plot, while interesting, is far from original, and follows the regular fairytale format the fans are used to.

The heroes with an ambiguous past come to investigate the missing townsfolk. During their investigation they stumble onto a plot point which invariably leads them on their journey, and from there, to the final climax.

However, this isn’t to say the movie doesn’t have it’s good parts. The action scenes and the witches in the movie are awesome, both in terms of their magic as well as their physical combat capabilities. The inventions and gadgets used by the heroes are inventive and have many similarities to some of the ones used in “Van Helsing.” Also, while some of the plot and dialogue is predictable, that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Plus the battle scenes are well choreographed, if at times a little over the top. At the very least, it would be a good movie to see, if perhaps not one you necessarily should buy.

Overall, I give this movie a grade of C. “Hansel and Grettle: Witch Hunters” is never going to be a fantasy superpower like the Harry Potter or Lord of the Ring series, but it does have the potential to be a cult classic. Fantasy goers will enjoy this film if they can’t find anything better, and as for the rest of the public, well, the action scenes are cool.