Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Huntsman: Winter's War Blu-ray Movie Review

The Huntsman: Lord of the Frozen Snow.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 11, 2016

Universal is releasing 'The Huntsman: Winter's War' to both 1080p Blu-ray and 4K UHD. The first film in the series, 'Snow White and the Huntsman,' is also releasing in 4K UHD on the same date.

"A story long before happily ever after." That can mean only one thing: prequel! And sequel, too! The Huntsman: Winter's War follows up on, and moves backwards from (albeit in more of an extended flashback), Snow White and the Huntsman, a movie better remembered for its whose cheatin' who off-camera side antics than its qualities as a Fantasy retake on the classic Snow White fairy tale. Indeed, this follow-up, noticeably absent both Kristen Stewart (who played Snow White) and Director Rupert Sanders, covers a wide-swath timeline that returns to the Huntsman's childhood and spends the bulk of its runtime in a post-Snow White and the Huntsman landscape where the fairest queen rules, but fears the magic mirror's powers. The film does return Stars Chris Hemsworth as The Huntsman and Charlize Theron as Ravenna.

Through treachery, magic, and deceit, Queen Ravenna kills the king during a game of chess. The Mirror, now at her command, renders her all but invincible. Her sister Freya (Emily Blunt) sits at her side. She is pregnant by a man who is engaged to another woman. Freya believes he will love her, abandoning his life for her and their child. Indeed, he sends word that he will defy his family, marry Freya in secret, and flee the kingdom with her so they may live as they wish. But the infant dies at its father's hands. Freya, angered beyond reconcile, becomes cold and evil, shunning the concept of love and living only for war and conquest. She flees to the north in search her own kingdom to rule. Her people fear her, and her crack army of Huntsmen brutalize those who resist, seizing lands in her name. She rules as the dangerous Ice Queen and banishes the "sin" of love from her lands.

Freya raises her huntsmen, practically from birth, to serve her on the field of battle. Many years pass. She's grown a fine crop of huntsmen, but love is clandestinely in the air. Eric and Sara (Jessica Chasten) are amongst the queen's finest warriors, but they've also fallen in love. They plan to marry, secretly, and escape the queen's lands and reach with their love guiding them to happily ever after. But they're discovered, separated, their fates seemingly detached forever. Several more years pass. Queen Ravenna has been killed, replaced by the fair Snow White. The new queen succumbs to the Magic Mirror's power and orders it banished from her kingdom and returned to the safety of Sanctuary. She orders Eric, now, essentially, a rogue warrior, to carry out the task, aided by two dwarves: Nion (Nick Frost) and Gryff (Rob Brydon). The adventure to Sanctuary is wrought with peril and full of surprise as Eric's past returns to the present in the most dangerous journey of his life.

The Huntsman: Winter's War may further the saga of Snow White (in absentia, largely), Eric, and Ravenna, but it's a sequel that's not particularly creative in its endeavors or complex in its story. A fancily crafted but otherwise hollow mash-up of Snow White, Frozen, and The Lord of the Rings, the film makes for a modestly enjoyable Fantasy adventure but hardly does anything to excite, break new ground, or even serve a purpose to the greater world explored in the first picture. Themes are terribly simplistic, exploring love and loss and the gamut of human emotions that are a result of both extremes. Characters, then, lack much depth beyond core concepts that push them, even through a few nifty twists and turns that keep the audience on its toes and the story more fluid than it deserves to be.

It's a satisfactory picture in all regards beyond story. It's expertly crafted, with all the bells and whistles and whiz-bang highlights one would expect of a modern Adventure film. The picture stands well enough on its own merits, away from the story (and external noise) of the first. In fact, the first isn't even really necessary viewing to enjoy the second; some character moments and subtle development may be lost on the newcomer, but Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan and Writers Evan Spiliotopoulos and Craig Mazin do a commendable job of keeping the movie standing on its own two feet, more a complimentary experience for series veterans and a perfectly enjoyable standalone flick for newcomers. The film is constructed around rather simplistic action scenes, complimented by light, and only occasionally annoying, humor. Digital effects impress and production design appears flawless. Other than that simplistic story, this is a perfectly enjoyable movie watching experience.

The Huntsman: Winter's War Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Huntsman: Winter's War features a standout video presentation. Only a hint of source noise interferes with an otherwise impressive and enjoyable 1080p viewing experience. Image clarity is outstanding. The digital shoot is very clean, but never overly flat. In fact, it's texturally robust, capturing the finest detailing with not only high degrees of accuracy, but tangible, tactile definition as well. Leathery armor is probably the most complex thing in the film. Creases, wear, and other details are revealed with precision. Flowing, queenly attire is likewise healthy and true, while skin textures never fail to reveal the finest facial hair stubble, pore, or accumulated bit of caked-on dirt and grime. The movie's oftentimes cold, blue and gray dominant color scheme looks fantastic, with excellent saturation and separation of the finest such shades. Healthier colors, notably rich and lively natural greenery, pop. Black levels don't disappoint and flesh tones appear natural. This is a first-rate new release transfer from Universal.

The Huntsman: Winter's War Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Huntsman: Winter's War arrives on Blu-ray with a wide, enveloping, and finely detailed DTS:X soundtrack. This review is based on a 7.1.4 setup, adding four "overhead" channels to the mix in addition to the more traditional seven speaker configuration, plus subwoofer. While there's not an abundance of discrete top-side details, the track does effortlessly envelop the listener on all sides, and above as well. Stage saturation is practically flawless. Musical spread is effortless and very wide. There's not a gap in the track as music seamlessly wraps around the listener, and in an easily immersive manner at that. It's a complete 360-degree experience, enhanced by the track's easy delivery and expert clarity. Woodland ambience is superb. Much like the music, there's a seamless sense of place and stage immersion. Listeners will feel transported to the film's locations, and that overhead presence, again while not by any means dominant or discrete, helps to create a fuller, healthier, more realistic sonic sensation. Falling rain and rolling thunder, heard about 45 minutes into the movie, offers one of the more noticeable top layer sensations in the track. Action effects are terrific, too. Arrows whoosh through the stage with a rush of air. Sword clanks are true, playing with a tangible, lifelike clank and accuracy. Deep, punishing bass supports several key moments, including ice that cracks and breaks throughout the film. Dialogue delivery is firm and focused in the center. Natural and enveloping reverberation is a highlight in locations that allow for it, particularly in the queen's chambers near film's end. The top channels only add to that sense of real spacing.

The Huntsman: Winter's War Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Huntsman: Winter's War contains deleted scenes, an audio commentary track, a gag reel, and a making-of. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are also included. This release features two cuts of the film: the theatrical cut (1:53:57) and the extended version (2:00:10).

• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Freya Says Goodbye to Ravenna (0:50), Young Eric and Sara Fight (2:20), Eric Finds Passage to Hidden Forest (3:18), and Freya Beats Ravenna in Chess (2:26). With optional commentary by Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
• Gag Reel (1080p, 9:43): Humorous slip-ups and laughs from the shoot.
• Winter's Vistas: The Making of The Huntsman: Winter's War (1080p): This piece is split into five subsections.
  
  
  • Two Queens and Two Warriors (7:22): A look at the "challenge" and "reward" of a first-time director working with an all-star cast. The piece also looks more closely at the four core characters.
  • Meet the Dwarfs (8:10): A closer look at the dwarf characters in the film, including some fun interview moments with the actors.
  • Magic All Around (8:44): This supplement examines some of the film's key practical and digital effects.
  • Dressed to Kill (6:03): An exploration of the film's most impressive and complex costumes with Costume Designer Colleen Atwood.
  • Love Conquers All (5:58): The cast talks up Cedric Nicolas-Troyan's style and presence on the set. It also looks at the bonds the actors formed on the set and the light tone established during the shoot.
• Audio Commentary: Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan offers some nice little insights into each scene, recalling various details from the shoot while also exploring the larger relevance of the moment in question. The track is very insightful and well spoken, as well as varied in details shared. Discussions include the qualities that actors brought to the film, sets and shooting locations, special effects, technical details of the filmmaking process, and much more. Fans will find this track to be of high value.

The Huntsman: Winter's War Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Huntsman: Winter's War is a perfectly serviceable Fantasy/Adventure film. It doesn't do anything unique with its wares or characters, and the story doesn't really impress, but it's good enough to carry it on through its action scenes, larger moments of perilous journey, light humor, and moments of romance. The film stands on its own well enough, away from both the story of and hoopla surrounding Snow White and the Huntsman. Universal's 1080p Blu-ray release of The Huntsman: Winter's War features gorgeous picture, expert lossless/atmospheric sound, and a decent allotment of extra content, including a commentary track and a five-part making-of. Recommended.