Hansel and Gretel
Those of you who know me, or who follow my reviews, will know that I can’t stand the candy coated fantasy world of most children’s media. Don’t get me wrong, I love things like Winnie the Pooh, but when it comes down to it I have always been more interested in things like the original Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Frankly I’m utterly sick of the old Disney movies, having been exposed to tripe like Bambi and Snow White far too often – which may have been what inspired my love of Apple and Venison. The South Korean film Hansel and Gretel is a contemporary retelling of the original Grimm’s story, with an even darker take, mixing fairytale fantasy with a bleak and stylish horror.
After a crashing his car, Eun-Soo wakes up in a forest at night with a young girl standing over him holding a lantern (making one of the best and most iconic images of the film). Still disorientated and injured from his accident, the young girl leads him back to her family deep in the forest – an almost perfect happy family bearing a resemblance to the 1950’s ideal. Eun-Soo stays overnight with the family with the intention of leaving in the morning to find help, however when he ventures out he gets lost and ends up back with the family again. Soon he realises that he cannot escape the forest, and that things in the home are not as pleasant as they seem.
If you thought the girl from The Ring was creepy, or the girl from The Grudge, or pretty much any other creepy kid, then prepare to set yourself a new standard. Damien has nothing on these kids! Hansel and Gretel is a fantasy story foremost, and a horror secondly (think Pan’s Labyrinth but darker). While there is the traditional Hansel and Gretel story at the core of this film, there are also elements of murder, physical and sexual abuse, and a pervading creepiness that the director harnesses so well that even the most innocent and inane objects become somehow scary.
Talking of the director, Pil-Sung Yim showcases his considerable talents in Hansel and Gretel. Far from being the kind of director to just point the camera at the scene, you get the clear impression that each shot has been carefully composed, much like a piece of music. In fact it would not be an exaggeration to say that there is a visual poetry in the directing, with a great eye for angles and use of all three dimensions. Of course the director would be for nothing if the image was poor, but this film is that oh so rare combination: a horror with high production values (I discount the hundreds of Saw films, and the cinematic fecal matter that is movies like House of Wax, since no matter how high the production values a terrible film is still a terrible film). The Digital Intermediate cinematographic process really shines here, with rich saturated colours, particularly during the first part of the movie before it moves to a slightly more subdued palette as the creepy factor increases.
Of course again all of this would be let down if the acting was weak, but once again Hansel and Gretel hits the sweet spot. Each of the cast nail’s their portrayal of their character perfectly, with not a bad performance in sight. And while I’d normally give shouts to the kids for their brilliant performances, I think the real top performance comes from Hee-Soon Park who plays a Deacon in the second half of the movie. Finally I also have to mention the soundtrack, the orchestral score by Byung-Woo Lee is so good that this is one of those rare instances where I wish I could get the isolated music on disc, or better yet see it being performed by a real orchestra! Asian horror buffs may well have heard his work before too, as he also created music for The Host, Three Extremes II, and A Tale of Two Sisters.
Hansel and Gretel is now my favourite fantasy film and one that I will be recommending to all of my friends. At 116 minutes it runs longer than most films, however you never get the feeling that the film is dragging as each scene is essential to the plot and to the mood – none of the almost two hour runtime is wasted. In summary, Hansel and Gretel is a dark fantasy tale that is as unsettling as it is beautiful.
I started watching this one last night (it's up in 12 parts over at YouTube!! LOL). It's a real knockout visually!! Can't say much about it otherwise as the subtitles didn't work. :P
I'm gonna have to pick this up, though. This would be a KILLER Blu-ray purchase!!!
I have to admit I've already been hunting for it on BluRay but no luck yet! It really is stunning visually, and even on my CRT tv you start to think it might be high def!
When you get it check out the trailers on the disc, I'm assuming they'll be the same ones. I already have Fox Family and Presidents Last Bang on my pile, so you can expect reviews of them at some point :P
Was pretty funny watching this with flatmate, the trailer came on for Fox Family and he was saying "Dude, you have GOT to put that on your rental list, right now!" at which point I picked up the dvd from the shelf and he almost wet himself, haha!
Can't wait to see it! If only I knew people that shared the same taste in films as I do!
As I have yet to see said above "masterpiece", I am inclined to watch it although I'll still have the visions of blond german children dancing in my head and seeing this asian cast as quite an odd contrast to such an ecclectic yet classic fairytale. Although with that in mind, I do have to say that this twist in making such an interesting combination of good screenwriting and story develop peaks my interest to view the movie with a very open mind and a warm embrace to an adult themed fairy tale. No references or comparisons have been mentioned with another great adult fairy tale namely that being Pan's Labyrinth, but if it is such a movie worthy of equal praise then I am for one going to spend my well earned pound to sit down and watch this tale unfold before my very sore eyes. Thanks to this delightfully inspiring review I will look forward to checking back in after I have given this movie my complete critical attention in hopes that my opinion will concur with the above written.
I'll admit I was avoiding references to Pan's Labyrinth, simply because I wasn't that keen on it myself but I seem to stand alone in that! (but I do have it on BluRay now ready to re-watch and give a second chance - all thanks to you voodoo!). There are definately major paralells between the two movies in terms of style and genre tho.
Wow. Sounds like a genuinely great film. I'm sure I won't be disappointed when you force me to watch this.
Now would I do such a heinous thi- yeah ok you got me.
But be warned, Im sure Sam will make you watch Taxidermia too and that's...wow. Totally F*ed up!
Trailer looks appetising, review is flattering! Looks very very promising indeed. Certainly looks like a visual treat, no doubt about it. And if it's as good as you say it is then will have to check it soon - favourite fantasy film is quite an accolade! Will definitely be interesting to see a childrens tale revamped into something unpatronisingly Disney for once. I think the closest I have got to that is Rammsteins video for Sonne (would not have minded at all if that ran to 116 mins, best Snow White ever.) Pans Labyrinth is the obvious other candidate for this sort of thing, albeit not (as far as I know) based on a childrens tale. Nice review Shiv, and cheers for bringing it to our attention, looking forward to watching it in full!
But I can't spell Labryn...Labyri...Labaran....
I never learned to read. :(
Sounds well good. I don't know too much Korean stuff but this may well be a good introduction to it.
Myself, I love Pans Labirytnh so if this has overtones of it then all the better.
Pan's Labia? o.O
But it's a lot darker, IMO. It reminds me a bit of A Tale of Two Sisters in terms of its overall look and tone (only a bit more "fantastic"). It's nifty stuff, and, like I said, you can get a taste of it on YouTube. Someone put the whole flick up in 12 parts, and I just discovered the subs do, indeed, work! You just need to hit the CC button! :)
Still, this will be a day one purchase for me when/if it comes out on Blu-ray. It's one of those "demo" titles that you can use to blow your friends' minds with color and detail!
I was never that keen on the Hansel and Gretle storyline as a child! But with this twist I think I might give it another go!
Great round up without giving too much away!
:)
Now you've really gone and perverted the title of a movie I enjoyed... I'll never be able to think about it the same after you've gone and soiled it!!
started watching this on utube saw this note on how to get the subtitles:IF YOU GUYS WANT THE SUBS THEN CLICK ON THE BUTTON THAT IS 2 BUTTONS OVER THE HD BUTTON (THE ONE THAT LOOKS LIKE AN ARROW UP) AND TURN ON CLOSED CAPTION (CC) your welcome in advance
I just watched this and it is indeed visually stunning with a truly haunting story. I like the twist they put on the story compared to the original/classic Hansel and Gretel. To me its more sad than truly terrifying but I do love all those creepy rabbits and dolls!