New Releases: April 22, 2016

1. The Huntsman: Winter’s War (Universal, 3,791 Theaters, 114 Minutes, Rated PG-13 for fantasy action violence and some sensuality, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating at press time: 18% Fresh [124 Reviews]):This franchise is pretty messed up. This film, of course, is the sequel to 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsman. When that film became a success, they announced that a follow-up focusing exclusively Chris Hemsworth’s Huntsman character. And they announced it in such a way that it made it seem that the couldn’t get rid of Kristen Stewart, who played Snow White, fast enough. Awkward.

This film being partially a prequel to the last one soften the blow of Stewart being bounced. But then you have a majority of the TV ads for this film making it look like it is all about Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt’s characters and the Huntsman becomes a supporting character. Weird.

But weirdest of all is how you can have a film with this many good actors, all who have done wonderful work in the past and include a Oscar winner and an Oscar nominee, and get such crappy reviews. Something has to go seriously wrong for that to happen.