Hansel & Gretel - Paramount Pictures

Is it worth $10? Yes

“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” is everything you’d expect it to be based on the trailer: A bloody good time. Nothing about it should be taken seriously, and if you go in with an open mind you should enjoy it, just like the cast looks like they did in making it.

In this spin on the fairy tale, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (the gorgeous Gemma Arterton) are now bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world. As the fabled Blood Moon approaches, the siblings encounter a new form of evil that might hold a secret to their past. Throw in more than a half dozen violent and grizzly witch slayings and you have the type of fun 2004’s “Van Helsing” attempted to have.

Although he starts off as if he didn’t know why he was there, Renner really pulls through as the overly handsome yet socially awkward Hansel. Some of the funniest scenes were his interactions with other people as he isn’t used to dealing with anyone other than his sister. Arterton (“Prince of Persia,” “Quantum of Solace”) stole the show for me. She plays a smart, kick-ass woman, and is gorgeous to boot. I don’t understand why she isn’t in more things (maybe if this is successful she will be). Famke Janssen (“X-Men” franchise) did great as the villain. Ever since “Goldeneye” I have always appreciated her more as a bad guy, as I feel like her personality fits those roles better.

Hansel & Gretel - Paramount Pictures

The story itself feels light. Given the non-complex nature of the material they were working with I don’t understand why they would leave so many plot holes (Hansel needs some medicine one minute, doesn’t the next, and then does again), and at some points the dialogue was just dreadful. As a whole I can look past that since this movie was meant to be a ridiculously violent fantasy, and it delivers in spades.

“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” was made to be a lot of fun, and in that regard it delivers. Much like “The Last Stand” it lacks a properly developed plot, and has some issues with dialogue, but it never loses focuses of its goal to entertain. If you like violent non-stop action/fantasies then this is definitely something you need to check out. With attractive leads (seriously why isn’t Gemma returning my calls?), kick-ass weapons, great CGI (the troll was awesome!), and a pretty solid twist at the end I think anyone with an open mind should be able to have a blast with this. I saw it in IMAX 3D, and I can say this is one you definitely don’t need to pay the extra for (the IMAX was nothing special), but I can’t really see 3D so you’ll have to make that decision for yourself.

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burntspawn said:

	... Avoid this movie, anyone that knows Dan kniws this already. Save your hard earned money and rent Van Helsing. If you want to see a mobie choose Side Effect or Stand Up Guys
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January 25, 2013
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susaninflorida said:

... I enjoyed the 3-D, it was the best part of the movie. It was OK. Mostly it's just an in your face gore fest killing witches. I hate that the "F" word is now considered witty dialogue by lazy writers of screenplays. People seemed to like it-( well the target audience anyway) and were clapping whenever a witch was killed. I'm glad I didn't pay to see it in 3-D and IMAX! Thanks too Hudak for the ticket!!

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January 25, 2013
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Janice2005 said:

	... This movie definetely looks very different to the Innocent Hansel and Gretel tale i was read when i was little. Looking forward to see how this one turns out. Janice
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January 31, 2013
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iwondogs2 said:

	... I saw this movie with my husband who didn't want to go. We both Loved it. It was fantastic and Gretal was beautiful. I thought the 3D effects were phenomenal and so real that I put up my hands to block my face. My husband was sitting behind me because there were no other seats next to me and he laughed watching me do it. I would, definitely, recommend seeing it in 3D.
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January 31, 2013
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jerryfl1 said:

	... I enjoyed the movie a lot. Great 3D and action movie.
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February 14, 2013
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moviesfree2 said:

	... Looking forward to getting passes to the call with Halle berry looks like a good movie .. Thanks you!
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March 11, 2013
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chevron9ine said:

	... I enjoyed the different perspective applied to a mainstream, otherwise interpreted story. The plot twist regarding the origin and history of the main characters was also interesting.
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May 11, 2013
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