Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • June 13, 2012 Theron stars in dark retelling of classic fairy tale toxic jealousy, the usurping of royal power, premeditated homicide, and the power of evil magic. Despite the film’s title, the main character is Ravenna (Charlize Theron), an incredibly vain sorceress who has the ability to shape shift, use her feminine wiles to enchant, and methodically seize absolute power. Her prized possession is a round metallic mirror that turns into a liquefied, human-like figure to assure her periodically that she is the fairest in the land. After Ravenna has successfully dispensed of her husband, the king and father of young Snow White, the queen imprisons the child and rules with malevolence. When, years later, her mirror delivers the news that Snow White (Kristen Stewart) will soon surpass her as the most beau- tiful woman in the kingdom, the queen plots the younger woman’s death. However, Snow White escapes into the Dark Forest, a place where the queen’s magic does not work. The queen then summons a drunk, rough-hewn huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), ordering him to seek the young woman and kill her. Actors have often said that playing villains is more fun than playing heroic characters. Judging from Theron’s performance, the actress is having a ball exuding vileness and providing Ravenna with cold-blooded intensity. She is best when stretching out her dialogue sotto voce, less so when she is shouting and strident. A queen of absolute power and command of magical powers need not raise her voice to (continued on Crossword page) Charlize Theron as Queen Ravenna in ‘Show White and the Huntsman.’ by Dennis Seuling In 1937, Walt Disney provided a popular version of the story of Snow White that became definitive for millions: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” This groundbreaking picture was the first-ever animated feature. The film has its share of frightening moments, including the heroine running for her life through the dark forest, the transformation of the evil queen into the hag who coaxes Snow White to bite into a poisoned apple, and the climactic chase in a rainstorm. Within the last two months, two new variations of the tale have opened in theaters. (The earlier release was “Mirror Mirror.”) The latest film, “Snow White and the Huntsman,” pulls out all the stops, making this saga one of