Now, that's not to say the film is as good as either of those, but as a fantasy adventure full of evil queens, magical ice princesses, dwarves, and heroic acts it's a lot of fun. Plus there's something to be said about the fact that it doesn't take itself seriously at all, and certainly the star-studded cast knows not to do so.
The construction of the story is a little weird at first, though. The "once upon a time" in this case is pre-Snow White and the Huntsman and follows Queen Ravenna as she manipulates and murders her way into power, alongside her mild-mannered sister, Freya (Emily Blunt). Love, as always, is a dangerous thing in this land, and when Freya's newborn baby is murdered by the man she loves
