Mirror Mirror on the Wall -- Oh, How the Mighty Fall

Who doesn't know the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves? It was Disney's first full-length animated picture. Before that, it was a oft-told fairy tale. So, really, it's hard to imagine people not knowing the basic plot-synopsis of this story. Why, then, have two movies about the very same story (Mirror, Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman) made it to the big screen this year? Because they are trying to take this old tale and add a surprising, different twist so it can be new once more.

The question is, do they succeed?

Let's see how Mirror Mirror does . . .

The big twist in this particular film is that the Evil Queen (played by the beautiful Julia Roberts) feels that it is her story to tell. Thus, the film does dedicate quite a bit of time to exploring the character of the queen. Sure, she's known as the Evil Queen, but no one is completely evil, are they? Of course not, and, if they are, why are they this way? Me, myself, and Mirror Mirror would like to know. I truly believe that "evil" is too strong of a word to describe the Queen. Yes, she believes the story of Snow White is all about that. Yes, she is vindictive, snarky, pompous, egotistical, and "good old-fashioned, psycho crazy," but really she is a fool -- someone to point and laugh at, not someone to be feared. And, as such, she is the one to fall; not Snow White. A role perfect for Roberts because she could not have created an evil, frightening queen like Charlize Theron does in Snow White and the Huntsman.






The two big themes in the film are the concepts of belief and magic.

Repeatedly, Mirror Queen reminds the Evil Queen that there is a price to pay for magic. She says, “Everyone has undiscovered magic inside them, but very few discover it and learn to spend it wisely.” The Evil Queen obviously knows that she has magic and will use it to do whatever she feels necessary without considering the price -- something that will backfire on her much later.

Snow, on the other hand, has no idea she is capable of anything at all, much less magic, until she leaves the castle for the first time and begins to learn she is more than a helpless, pathetic, shut-in. As the movie continues, however, Snow grows and finally believes, allowing her self to find her own magic. 

Snow's entire transformation is based on learning to believe in herself. This essential learned ability to believe in herself changes her. She is no longer sweet, innocent, and helpless. Instead, she has become stronger, more powerful, and full of gumption -- things she never had before leaving the castle.






1) Baker Margaret insists that Snow leave the castle to refute her lack of confidence because it was shattered by the Queen. "The Queen has the whole kingdom convinced you are nothing but a pathetic shut it. The worst is, she has you believing it too.” Without that push towards the door, Snow never would have left the castle at all.

2) Before being accepted by the dwarves, she does have the courage enough to stand up to them by stealing the money back to return to the people. Had she not left the castle and seen how bad the village was, she would never have known that the people needed her help. HER help. Her plan was to ask the prince to help her, but ended up saving the kingdom on her own.

3) Once banished from the castle and thought to be dead, Snow takes refuge among the dwarves. They agree to train her to be a thief -- to believe.

Then we'll teach her. We will teach her to believe

People think you can't be tall if you're short. 

That you can't be strong if you're not.

A weakness is only a weakness if you think of it that way.

Never under any circumstances give up the high ground.

Before you even draw your sword, you must first mane an impression on your enemy.

If he is deceived by your look, the battle is half won.

People think of you as sweet -- they don't expect you to fight dirty. Use that to your advantage.

Your weapon isn't your only friend; the environment can be an ally too.

Deception on the battlefield isn't just an option. often time it's the difference between victory and defeat.

4) When facing the Beast and the Queen for a final time, she draws her sword and stands bravely (with some minor trembling), "I am made of more than you think!," showing she is not only believing in herself, but is willing to stand up for herself as well.

5) The final song is about belief. In this case, believing in love.










Outside of this, the actors were hilarious. I love all the dwarves, especially Half-Pint and Napoleon. Julia Roberts was brilliant as always. As Snow White, Lily Collins was wonderful. It was nice to see her grow as a character from being extremely similar to the Disney version, especially in her voice, to being a powerhouse woman capable of saving and ruling her kingdom. Nathan Lane is also in this film, and who doesn't love him?He's hilarious. And, then there's Prince Alcott. He is adorable and very . . . princely, but he has his own changes to go through -- humbling himself enough to see that dwarves and women are not helpless without him.

All in all, I found the movie charming, amusing, and one of those films that just make you feel good at the end. It's silly and wonderful and that's all it needs to be. Leave the serious stuff for Snow White and the Huntsman.