'Snow White' takes a bite out of classic tale

“Snow White and the Huntsman” never quite delivers on its promise — a dark retelling of the fairytale in which women hold the true power, good and evil — but it certainly is an attractive misfire.

Director Rupert Sanders, with his first feature, has come up with some jaw-droppingly beautiful shots, almost tactile in their richness, and uses special effects to enhance that look, rather than just showing off.

His actors are not always so inspired. Charlize Theron puts a lot of effort into trying to infuse Ravenna, the Evil Queen, with an oozing evil, but Chris Hemsworth, after a promising start, eventually doesn’t have much to do as the Huntsman.

And then there is Kristen Stewart as Snow White. Her performance is uneven, and while that’s a step up from her portrayal of Bella Swan in the “Twilight” films, it’s not really enough to carry the movie.

The story hits the ground running. Snow White’s mother dies, and her grieving father is duped into a war against a mysterious army. His side wins, and they take a single prisoner: Ravenna. Stunned by her beauty, he marries her the next day — and she promptly kills him on their wedding night, though not before saying, “Men use women. They ruin us.” She takes over the kingdom and imprisons Snow White.

Ravenna is obsessed with her own beauty, but it’s more than just vanity. It is also the source of her power and tends toward the dark side. She depends upon the youth, beauty and occasional beating heart of young women to ward off aging and the diminishment it brings.

She asks the mirror who is the fairest of them all, of course, but there is some fear mixed in with the question.

This leads to Snow White’s escape into the Dark Forest, where no one wants to go. Ravenna orders the Huntsman to fetch her and bring her back alive, so that she can eat her heart. He doesn’t want to take the job, but he doesn’t really have any choice. So he leads Finn (Sam Spruell, very good), the queen’s brother, and some other men on the hunt.

Meanwhile William (Sam Claflin), a childhood friend who still pines for Snow White, gets wind of her escape, so he pursues her, as well. The stage is set for a rivalry that never really gels. The Queen’s troops are never far behind; their chase is what leads the Huntsman and Snow White to the eight — not seven — dwarves.

It becomes clear to Snow White, and to everyone else, that she must lead the revolt against the queen.

All the classic elements are here — the mirror, the poison apple, true love’s kiss. The climactic battle provides a fitting end, but it’s too long getting there; the movie lasts more than two hours, and it feels like it.