IR Film Review: MIRROR MIRROR [Relativity]

The first entry into the wrestled world of Snow White enters with "Mirror Mirror" whose tone is mired in a sense of indifference that seems to indicate an idea of style that was undeniably shaped by its leading lady's sense of comedic proactivity.Tarsem, known for films such as "The Cell" understands the notion of creating a world but, unlike Tim Burton, has never been challenged to create one that both children and adults can exist in. Over time, Burton has struck more to challenging the audience with how far they can accept Johnny Depp in continually more bizarre characters which is a test all its own. Tarsem understands this but imbalances the progression more often than not in this outing.The intonation from the advertising seems to indicate a more bubble-gum version of Snow White and yet her characteristics exist in Lily Collins as an almost nether perception where she can be slightly vicious and then overly domestic. The reimagining of the dwarves as maligned forest thieves definitely creates a more edgy perception. However most of the time the narrative simply progresses to the wanton needs of the Queen played with definite fun by Julia Roberts. However it becomes overwhelming so. The idea is not so much seeing the Queen as it is Roberts playing the Queen part. There is too distinct a separation.Certain moments definitely create the movie at times. One involves the Queen retreating to her mirror domain. The literal immersion reversal from water is wonderfully done and speaks to something much more sinister that could be traversed but never truly is. The other occurs closer to the end in a moment that indeed points to the truly intense aspect of what the film could have possessed. Ultimately in practice though, this is a family film specified as a comedy. Its tendencies however tend to run quite odd as if the tone wasn't exactly predicated upon. This becomes more than duly aware in the closing credits sequences which by all accounts is quite a strange inclusion indeed. In makes sense in terms of the lexicon of who is involved but seemingly tends to disavow structure and tone of the film itself in one fail swoop.D