Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

[Tony Stark]

Even though the critics didn't like this film, I found it pretty enjoyable. If I had a criticism it's that the film doesn't seem to know who it's audience is. It has this vibe about it like Brother's Grimm which was a PG-13 movie, seemingly aimed as a younger audience, but then there's all this over the top blood and guts multiple F-bombs and exploding heads and nudity, aimed at an older audience.

I found it to be pretty funny and entertaining, and I think with it's shoestring budget it will do well enough to warrant a sequel.

 

[terry78]

Warm Bodies will probably beat it this weekend though. It's violent and smarmy enough for cynics and romantic emo enough for others.

 

[mclay18]

Watched it in 3D today. Still trashy fun. Paramount did a good job converting the pic, good stereo depth and some fun 3D gags.

I actually had more fun this time around. The climax involving the witches is a bloody good time, literally.

 

[warhorse78]

You may have trouble seeing it because you're a fan but Renner does indeed go into autopilot. I don't see the difference between Hawkeye and Hansel or Cross and Brandt. They're virtually the same characters. He'll have a noteworthy performance once in awhile but not before various carbon copies of a past character.

You misunderstood me. YOu said that you haven't seen him play anything other than a cowboy or badass, and I was just showing that 12 and Holding, Neo Ned and Dahmer are contrastly different characters than the movies you mentioned, showing that he does have range.

 

[mclay18]

Second weekend gross has only dropped 53% to $9.2M. It's earned around $96M worldwide ($34M domestic, $62M international).

I expect sequel news once it eclipses $125M.

 

[lespaul59]

I went to see this tonight and thought it was way better than I expected it to be. I went in wanting to see it but expecting it to be one of those movies where you think it's pretty good but you kinda forget about it. I ended up going to see it in 2D because I couln't make it to one of the 3D showings. But if it's still at my local theater next week I might try to catch it in 3D.

 

[mclay18]

Film's worldwide gross is $127M and counting. If Paramount and MGM are going by the 2.5 multiplier rule for franchise potential, the film is already in the black.

I expect them to announce sequel plans in a few more months.

 

[AnneFan]

I haven't seen this and I don't think I will. Apart from thinking it wouldn't be any good, something about the concept seems...I don't know...wrong. :shrugs:

 

[terry78]

I haven't seen this and I don't think I will. Apart from thinking it wouldn't be any good, something about the concept seems...I don't know...wrong. :shrugs:

That sounds like witch talk to me.

 

[mclay18]

I haven't seen this and I don't think I will. Apart from thinking it wouldn't be any good, something about the concept seems...I don't know...wrong. :shrugs:

The trailers pretty much lay out the fact that this is a B-movie; it doesn't pretend to be anything more than that. And it has a definite Peter Jackson/Sam Raimi 1980s feel to it at times. If you dig that, you'll probably have a blast with this movie.

H&G is a divisive movie. You'll either find it campy fun or wretched awfulness.

 

[dude stannis]

I didn't hate it. Mostly because it had the novelty deaths to it. One thing that did get me really excited is when I saw "Directed by Tommy Wirkola" because for a split second I wasn't focusing and saw "Directed by Tommy Wi----".

 

[Ultimatehero]

I haven't seen this and I don't think I will. Apart from thinking it wouldn't be any good, something about the concept seems...I don't know...wrong. :shrugs:

I'm with you there. I saw it during test screenings and absolutely hated it because all the performances except Thomas Mann (who to me was the saving grace) seemed phoned in. The positive response to it is kinda surprising to me.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I still haven't seen it, but I will make an effort to catch it this week.

 

[AnneFan]

That sounds like witch talk to me.

Rest assured, I am not a witch.

Spoiler

I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!

 

[Gianakin_]

Is that Alan Cumming?

 

[mclay18]

I'm with you there. I saw it during test screenings and absolutely hated it because all the performances except Thomas Mann (who to me was the saving grace) seemed phoned in. The positive response to it is kinda surprising to me.

I thought I would end up HATING this movie, but I enjoyed it. Renner's bored expression half the time actually made it funnier.

I think the most entertaining aspect of the movie is its sheer ridiculousness and anachronisms running throughout. Would the real Hansel & Gretel swear up a storm, headbutt bad guys, or use modern weaponry?

Thinking about it just makes me smile from ear to ear. It revels in its imperfections and embraces the out-there nature of the plot.

 

[Ultimatehero]

Thing is, I think you're the type who loves bad movies because you like imperfections. Whereas there were so many, I couldn't forgive it. For you Renter's boredom read as interesting - for me it read as, "I'm only here due to being obligated to do it on contract."

 

[mclay18]

Thing is, I think you're the type who loves bad movies because you like imperfections. Whereas there were so many, I couldn't forgive it.

I do like bad movies, but only certain kinds. I absolutely hated Van Helsing and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (which do share similarities with H&G), but I had fun with this pic. Bad movies either have to be ridiculous or cartoonish enough to entertain me.

'Classic' bad movies like Plan 9 from Outer Space and Eegah don't do anything for me. And usual B/Z-grade movies like the usual SyFy movie of the week dreck are just... boring.

 

[Ultimatehero]

To me BOTH OF THOSE are way beyond superior in terms of comparison. Van Helsing is mediocre, but Vampire Hunter was entertaining and by far the best of the three. They also knew what they wanted to be. Helsing among top critics - 18%. Abraham - 24%. Witch Hunter - 5%! For comparison 'Date Movie' got 13%, that shows how much critics hated it. That's how my line of thinking of them similarly lines up though I would say it is better than 'Date Movie' - I had to shut that one off and never watched any again.

The things that annoyed me with H&G:
- the actors seemed like they were contractually roped into it. Renner was simply bored, I doubt he went in thinking "I'll look bored all the time" - he just didn't like that he got roped into it and it showed.
- this couldn't be any clearer than Famke reading her lines without any emotion or anything behind them.
- it couldn't decide what it wanted to be, way way way too bright of a color scheme and yet trying to make things intense - it just felt... awkward.
- the witch was supposed to be a good villain, yet her henchkids were annoying emo brats that went over the top... it was annoying.

As said, I just couldn't find anything redeemable except for Thomas Mann and the blood (which seems to have just been there to elicit a response in an otherwise horrible movie, so even there I'm unsure what to think about it), thus what stopped me from giving it a 0/10. If the actors seemed to enjoy it, I probably at least would have then too - but I just had the same expression Renner had on throughout the movie, wanting to get it over with.

 

[mclay18]

Well, the movie is pretty divisive. What entertains me may end up being an endurance contest for someone else.

You don't like H&G, that's perfectly fine. I can see both sides of the argument.

 

[Marvolo]

I wonder if I would enjoy this? I liked Van Helsing well enough. Pretty stupid, paper thin, but I had some fun with it. Vampire Hunter let me down as a fan of the book, but once again, I had some fun with it. I also enjoyed The Brothers Grimm. Basically with films like this I am just looking for some fun. Its an absurd concept to begin with so I don't ask too much of the script. Its glorified fairy tales blown up to ridiculousness on the big screen. Is it the same with this film?

 

[Ultimatehero]

I wonder if I would enjoy this? I liked Van Helsing well enough. Pretty stupid, paper thin, but I had some fun with it. Vampire Hunter let me down as a fan of the book, but once again, I had some fun with it. I also enjoyed The Brothers Grimm. Basically with films like this I am just looking for some fun. Its an absurd concept to begin with so I don't ask too much of the script. Its glorified fairy tales blown up to ridiculousness on the big screen. Is it the same with this film?

As someone who liked Helsing and loved Vampire, I'd agree with how the reviews stack them up (although not with the ratings themselves):

Vampire - 24%
Helsing - 18%
Witch hunter - 5%

(for other comparisons Brothers Grimm got around 33%)

It may be the same genre, but Witch Hunter is nowhere near as "just entertaining" as Van Helsing and "fun" as Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

 

[mclay18]

Basically with films like this I am just looking for some fun. Its an absurd concept to begin with so I don't ask too much of the script. Its glorified fairy tales blown up to ridiculousness on the big screen. Is it the same with this film?

You might enjoy it, but YMMV. People who hated Van Helsing and/or AL:VH mostly liked it, as well as the reverse.

I wouldn't recommend paying full-price for seeing it. Buy a matinee or use a free ticket if you have it.

 

[Lord Valumart]

I finally saw this last night. It was fantastic.

I mean the plot is paper thin, but it had exploding heads, creative deaths, utter stupidity, and a totally bored Jeremy Renner. The most surprising thing about it was the 3D wasn't at all annoying. Although the girl I saw it with kept screaming every time something flew at the screen.

Over all it was what I expeced it to be, stupid fun. I'll get the bluray and I'd see another one if they make it.

 

[mclay18]

Well, it's official... Paramount is going ahead with a sequel to H&G:WH. The film's producers Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Beau Flynn and Kevin Messick are returning to produce.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/hansel-and-gretel-witch-hunters-sequel/

No word yet on Renner and Arterton's return, or whether Tommy Wirkola will return to direct. I'm certain both actors signed on for at least another film, but that doesn't mean anything.