I had great hopes for this haunting, dark version of the fairy tale, so I went to see it on Friday night.
While I thought the film was beautifully shot, the costuming lovely and the set gorgeous and dark and stark...I felt that the story didn't quite work.
The resolution wasn't what I hoped and/or expected, considering the seeds that were planted throughout. I'm trying to be careful about spoilers, but let's just say that there was an obvious person who was the Wolf...and I felt that that person should have been so. It made more sense than the final resolution, so much so that I felt not only misled, but also as if the writers changed the ending just to make it different.
Did anyone else see the movie? What did you think? Spoilers are okay in the comments section--just give a warning so readers can skip it if they want.
Now that the Red Riding Hood movie is out...what other fairy tale do you think would be fun to be done in such a dark, gothic and twisted setting?
Weigh in on your thoughts and be entered to win your choice of any of my books as Colleen Gleason, Colette Gale, or of course Joss Ware, including my upcoming release The Vampire Voss (coming at the end of March). I'll pick a winner tomorrow.
**Due to cost of postage, entrants are limited to those with a US or Canadian address.
36 comments:
I saw it. I didn't have high expectations when I walked in, so I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it. It definitely could've been much better- I would say that I liked it, it was 'good', but I didn't love it and it wasn't 'great'.
I agree with you about the obvious person who should've been the wolf, but I was told by a friend that this particular movie was based off a specific book. I did a search for it and couldn't find it, so I'm guessing it was based off the grimm fairytales and the director took some liberties with it.
I was definitely not a fan of the script. Catherine Hardwicke always seems to have some not-so-great scripts with her movies. I loved the location (I don't know if they filmed any of it on location or if it was all done in a studio), loved the actor who was cast as Peter, loved Gary Oldman, and I loved the music.
Dangit! I wanted to LOVE this one! The previews made it look like it had so much potential! *sigh*
Oh, well. Is it just me, or are there just not as many good movies being made anymore?
I didn't see it. I'd like to see Goldilocks done in that style though. And with the bears being weres.
sgiden at verizon.net
Didn't see it, really have no intentions of seeing it. If it is something that I have read, even if there has been a spin of some nature done to it I am ALWAYS disappointed. I learned long ago not to set myself up for it.
truckchick(at)hotmail(dot)com
I have a personal bias NOT to see this movie because I wrote a dark medieval romance based on Little Red Riding Hood about 6 years ago. When I saw the previews, I was angry LOL. So I'm kinda glad to hear it wasn't that great! Justice! I'd love to see a dark twist on Cinderella though, because it's always such a pristine story, I'd love to see what someone twisted could do with it!
I wanted to see this movie, I didnt want to see this movie, now I have to see this movie.
I'd love to see red shoes. That hasnt been made into a movie in years, loved the story as a kid (i was a ballerina. That could be awesome...if the writers dont eff it up!
I haven't seen it yet, but heard Gary Oldman is in it, so he'd be my usual suspect ;-)
Did you see Snow White: a Tale of Terror with Sigourney Weaver as evil stepmother? I love that movie!
I've been waiting this movie for months and i was very disapointed. I understand what you mean about the one who should have been the wolf, because i was thinking the same thing. I think it's the trailer that have give me the wrong impression and i don't why, but i was thinking that there was a pack of wolf, not just one.
Now, what other classic story i would like see in a dark movie ?Hansel and Gretel and maybe
Goldilocks and the three bear.
Well, I definitely won't be running to the theater for this one - I'll just catch it on cable.
I like the ideas for a dark Cinderella or Goldilocks (hadn't thought of that one!). I think there's room for a gothic Snow White as well.
Riva L.
dulcibelle [at] earthlink [dot] net
I have not seen the Red Riding Hood movie. I think Sleeping Beauty or Rumpelstilskin would be good gothic tales.
My favorite fairy tale is Snow White, so I would love an updated gothic version of it. I plan on seeing this movie eventually, but have no expectations for it.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I really wanted to see this movie but had a feeling that it wasn't going to be that good. Now I'm glad I didn't see it. I will wait for DVD now.
I think it would be awesome if they redid Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, or Repunzil. Actually, I think they are doing Snow White with Kristin Stewart. Hmmm....
iqb99@yahoo.com
This is a renter for me. I'd like to see a Hansel and Gretel movie. And what do you know! They are making one . H&G grow up to become witch hunters....:)
havnt seen it, but sure am hoping it brings the cape back in. i got a brown one, i wear :))
i doubt i go watch it, its been a while since i watch movie in theathe
well not fairy tale, but the little mermaid,, im starting to hate he, my grankid is all abouther and allthe princess
some1 kill the mermaid :0
I really wanted to like this movie, it looked really good in the previews :( not so sure I want to go see it now.
I read the book in January and definitely wasn't happy to have to wait until the movie released to read the last chapter. o_O I don't think I'll be seeing the movie.
I would like to see Hansel and Gretel integrated into an Urban Fantasy story.
Sara M
sara_UFblog [at] yahoo [dot] com
I haven't seen the movie & based on reviews I doubt I will. I do love Gary Oldman though so I might rent it on Netflix when it comes out.
I would like to see a remake of Cinderella with the dark elements from the Grim fairytale. Example: when the eyes of the stepsisters are poked out by birds. They totally deserved it. LOL
user1123 AT comcast DOT net
I'm just gonna wait for this one to come to DVD. I only go to the theater for movies that I can't wait for (ex Twilight...)hehe. I would love to see Goldilocks remade,
Oops forgot my email topcat9250@snet.net
I read the book, but haven't seen the movie. I like what they did with the character of "red riding hood" by making her more personally powerful. The ending was loose and you can get the extra chapter on the website, but after hearing this review. I think I know what the ending is going to be and I kind of liked where the book had ended it. :)
Thanks for the review, I think I'll wait until it's out on DVD
I didn't hate the twist ending, but I do agree that they focused too much on hints of it being other people, especially one in particular, and gave absolutely NO hints about the true identity (ok, maybe there was one, but that was it!) - should be a "movie foul.". The screenwriter should have taken lessons on hints from The Sixth Sense.
Someone commented they heard it was based on a book, but as best I can tell, the movie people released a book just this Jan. of the movie but w/o the ending. I don't think it's based on an actual novel written prior to the screenplay.
I would say I'd love to see a dar retelling of Snow White too, but I think it's b/c I really liked the dark retelling of it that another commenter already mentioned - Snow White: A Tale of Terror with Sigourney Weaver. Loved that version for some reason! :). That said, Sleeping Beauty is a favorite of mine, wonder if that would be any good with a strong female lead and dark undertones?!
I'm glad I'm not the only one going "meh" at the end....
I did really like the way they handled the character of Red--she was powerful, and she ended up remaining that way. Liked that.
I would love to see Rapunzel done darkly (although I ADORED Tangled), as well as Rumplestiltskin (I actually think Rumple got the short end of the stick--he upheld his half of the bargain, why couldn't she???).
And a dark Cinderella would be fabulous! Great ideas.
Thanks for coming by. Picking a winner tomorrow!!
I have no desire to see this movie. Especially after the stunt they pulled with the book. That publicity stunt angered me to no end. Why put out a book without an ending???? If they didn't want people to know how it ended then maybe release the book after the movie.
Done ranting.
Haven't seen it, yet. We have a GNO planned on the 26th, and that is the movie of choice. Can't wait to read The Vampire Voss! So excited! Congrats!
Hmm, I think I'd like to see Snow White as a gothic movie. I didn't like the Disney movie so maybe a gothic verison would be better.
c4casey(at)comcast(dot)net
I haven't seen it yet, but am planning to this weekend. I also have yet to pick the book up. Part of me really wants to but I've heard it's missing the ending and if I buy the book I want the ending included. I would love to see Aladdin brought to the screen with a few twists and maybe a sexy genie :)
june111(at)att(dot)net
I'm in the minority because I really liked Red Riding Hood! It was mindless fun. I loved the atmosphere, the imagery and the setting. Seemed like a ramped up version of Shelley Duvall's Fairy Tale Theatre. The acting was terrible, very stiff and wooden. But Hardwicke sure knows how to cast pretty boys! I went back and forth a couple of times as to the wolf's identity. When it was revealed I was a little creeped out, I thought the wolf had, umm, other intentions. ;) It's not a cinematic masterpiece by any stretch, but I enjoyed myself, so it was worth it.
As a kid I scared of The Snow Queen and the witch in Hanzel and Gretel. I'd love to see those brought to life on the big screen. I think I've read that H & G is in production.
I was planning on seeing Red Riding Hood, because it seemed very dark and atmospheric, and also I loved Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia. But movies are so expensive now, it's hard to justify spending the money unless it's really, really special!
One of my favorite versions of Cinderella is Ever After with Drew Barrymore. Now especially gothic, but very sweet, and I loved that Cinderella fought for her prince!
A gothic version of Hansel and Gretel could be fantastic! It has so many great elements: two lost children, a strange edible house, a cannibalistic witch, and two criminally neglectful parents. I'd love to see it!
I would like to see a gothic version of Snow White. The different versions out now are still very Deisney.
I haven't seen it (yet))--They just redid Beauty and the Beast, Beastly, so that was the first thing that came to my mind--I thought it was pretty well done (although I didn't actually find the "Beauty" that memorable).
As for dark adaptations...Someone mentioned Cinderella, where the eyes get pecked out--which reminded me of a poem in Anne Sexton's transformations, where one step-sister cuts off her toes to make the shoe fit--and I think the other cuts off her heel---It would be great for a gothic adaptation!
p.s.--does everybody know that it was really a FUR slipper, not a GLASS slipper--it was a mistranslation of the French...and when you think about it, fur does sound a lot more comfortable to dance in than glass...
nymfauxx [at] gmail [dot] com
I am going to see this movie on thursday! I was hoping it would be really good since we've been waiting months to see it! I really like Amanda Seyfried.
I would like to see a sleep beauty gothic "reboot".
Anna
Right there with you Joss! I had high hopes for this one too! I once read Debbie Viguie's Scarlet Moon which had a similar plot theme--Red with a werewolf love--so I thought this one would be good.
I saw it with my friends and everyone, including other moviegoers walked out saying it was Twilight redux. Even the beginning was. Catherine likes her woods shots a little too much.
I just saw too many things Twilight related in the storyline and it annoyed me. The idea of the storyline was good though, I loved Debbie's novel so I did have high hopes for this one.
There used to be this whole series of fairy tales retold in a different gothic sort of way. I think it was called The Once Upon a Time series...can't recall. Different authors wrote different versions of the fairy tales! I love them. I think it went on a little further too after I thought I had the last one. There was the Little Mermaid, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, The Storyteller's Daughter, the 12 dancing Princesses...just a lot of the good classics!
I saw the trailer for this the other day when I went to see my disappointing movie. I AM NUMBER FOUR. I also had high hope, but went in expecting that some of the story might be sacrificed from the book to movie adaption. But to have changed the story completely, and to add completely different and irrelevant story threads while leaving out important ones was unexpected.
Thanks for all your comments!
The contest is closed, and I'll be posting a winner shortly. :-)
Hope everyone has a great day!
Post a Comment