Hänsel und Gretel: Hexenjäger (Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters)
Germany/U.S.A. 2013

Opening 28 Feb 2013

Directed by: Tommy Wirkola
Writing credits: Tommy Wirkola
Principal actors: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Peter Stormare, Famke Janssen, Pihla Viitala

In Tommy Wirkola’s re-imagining of the classic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, we are shown a world where witches are common evils throughout the countryside. After defeating the evil gingerbread house witch, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) go on to become famous witch hunters. When they are hired to find eleven children who have gone missing during the fabled Blood Moon, they become embroiled in their toughest hunt yet.

There comes a point while watching action films that many are just rehashes of the same-old plot devices and clichés. To a certain extent this is expected and can be well-utilized; however, when it is possible to guess practically every word of spoken dialogue and know the plot twist long before it is revealed, it may be a sign that the film is too unoriginal to be made. In a time when it is increasingly difficult for films to receive funding, it seems outrageous that such tripe as Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (and the equally disappointing Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) continue to make it to filming and wide release. There is not one moment of intelligent thought or creative feeling that made it into the final cut of this film, and therefore is not worth anyone’s time to go and watch it. (Rose Finlay)