Mirror Mirror (movie review)

Mirror Mirror website

We went to watch the new film 'Mirror Mirror' directed by Tarsem Singh and stars Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, and Sean Bean (obviously that's not all, the many support actors would take hours to write them all down). Based on the story of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' its a modern twist on an old favourite. The actors who play the Dwarfs are brilliant, especially during the 'fight scenes', the script is good and the actors are strong in their roles. Julia Roberts is extremely good as the Queen (baring a slight resemblance to Queen Elizabeth I, as pointed out by one of my brood), Lily Collins plays a very convincing innocent Snow White who turns her hand to becoming a 'battle ready' young woman to retake her kingdom that is rightfully hers. Armie Hammer plays Prince Alcott and was brilliant from his swashbuckling to his buffoonery he is very dashing and seems to spend a lot of time in his long johns. Nathan Lanes turn as Brighton, the Queens bootlicker and whipping boy, plays a great comedic character, you can't help but feel sorry for the man.

The film has a good pace and plenty for the adults as well as the kids to drink in of its clever twists and turns in the plot. The characters are endearing and memorable with plenty of action as well as the more subtle scenes too, along with breathtaking scenery and great cinematography.

All in all we, as a family, thoroughly enjoyed the film and would recommend anyone to go and see it, just remember it is a 'family' film based on a fairy tale, if you don't have kids you'll try to analyse it to bits and then it loses its fun. Take it for what it is, good family fun and you won't be disappointed in the least.

Pirates! In an adventure with scientists. (The Pirates! Band of Misfits)

From the Aardman studios, creators of Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, comes a new creation of charming characters, namely that of 'The Pirates' whose Captain, ironically called 'Pirate Captain' and voiced by the suave voice of actor Hugh Grant, have a bit of a reputation to build as, it seems amongst their peers, their current reputation is a tad lacking in lustre. Pirate Captain has always had his sights set on, and never managed to claim, the much coveted prize of 'Pirate of the Year'. Black Bellamy (voiced by Jeremy Piven) , Peg Leg Hastings (voiced by Lenny Henry)and Cutlass Liz (voiced by Salma Hayek) are all very strong contenders with booty abounds, whilst Pirate Captain and his sturdy crew don't seem to have as much. So, they set out to plunder a plenty and win the 'Pirate of the Year'.

Whilst on their plundering, and rather less booty finding, campaign they set upon a scientist ship with, none other than, Charles Darwin (voiced by David Tennant) aboard. He is out to gain recognition in the Science field, of course, and discovers that Pirate Captains 'Polly' isn't quite a parrot as originally thought. With twists and turns a plenty Pirate Captains crew end up in foggy London, where the Pirate hating Queen Victoria (voiced by Imelda Staunton) reigns.

The story is fun, action packed with many a twist and turn, and to say I shall never think of Queen Victoria again in the same vein is no understatement. It is a good fun family film with a few things the adults can 'catch' that the kids might miss and rather a good soundtrack too. There will be plenty of voices you'll recognise amongst the claymation cast. In my opinion its worth forgetting swabbing the decks, grab your crew and set your sights on the picture house and go see it, me hearties.