After she spends all her money, an evil enchantress queen schemes to marry a handsome, wealthy prince. There's just one problem - he's in love with a beautiful princess, Snow White. Now, joined by...
Mirror Mirror reflects surface level whimsicality through monotonous affability. “Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s the fairest of them all?”. Why it might just be Disney’s first animated feature, or even the gothic ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ of the same year. The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale has been adapted multiple times throughout the history of cinema and literature. Each iteration offering the same tale bolstered by a variant aesthetic. Singh, whose most notable work is a music video for R.E.M’s “Losing My Religion” (we’ve all got to start somewhere I s’pose...), takes the core fantastical spirit of Snow White and layers it across a broad canvas of beauty. In the process however, loses any and all originality, characterisation and edge that allows it to differentiate itself from the countless other adaptations.
It’s the same ol’ story. Evil queen who yearns for ravenous youth and lavish wealth wishes to kill the king’s daughter Snow White, who escapes the kingdom and befriends seven dwarves. Needless to say no more descriptions are required, you know how the story ends, and that’s part of the problem. The cracks on this mirror show immediately through the introductory expositional animation that outlines the predictability of its plot. Gorgeously designed, with a ceramic aesthetic that glistens in the surrounding illustrious surrealism. Yet offering nothing more than a pantomime production of the Grimm’s story on true love. For those somehow unacquainted with Snow White’s plot, the ornately decorated costumes and extravagant Burton-esque production design that emanates regality may entice you into the shallow one-dimensional world built to host the lethargic story. Even Roberts’ flamboyancy as the menacing queen, who clearly had plenty of fun in the role, could potentially win you over.
Unfortunately the character of Snow White is beyond boring, with no personality beneath her ravishingly beauty. And considering the narrative focus on her growing independence from the kingdom, it’s not adequate enough to make the story engaging. Singh attempts to invigorate some themes of tyranny and capitalism, showcasing the queen’s greed by raising the taxes of her people. A simple if underdeveloped touch. But then you get Hammer literally acting as an adorable puppy (no...literally!) for family-orientated comedy, forcing the tone to be rather childish throughout. Dwarves wearing accordion stilts. Servants transformed into cockroaches. These traits anchor a timeless tale to be nothing more than a forgettable bedtime story. Oh, and then ending on a Bollywood musical number? Urgh. Unnecessary.
There isn’t anything inherently wrong with Mirror Mirror. It’s the epitome of niceness wrapped in a pink flavoursome box, tied with a fluffy bow on top. But once you open the package and stare at its vacuous contents, it becomes instantly forgettable. Much like Snow White, it’s undeniably beautiful but painfully characterless.
