Take in "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" is an action fantasy film released in 2013. Directed by Tommy Wirkola, the movie is a spin-off and a continuation of the popular fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel. The film takes place 15 years after the siblings narrowly escaped being eaten by a witch in the gingerbread house. The main idea behind "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" is that the siblings have grown up to become professional witch hunters. As adults, they have dedicated their lives to eliminating witches from the world. Armed with an array of weaponry and an extensive knowledge of supernatural creatures, they travel from village to village, rescuing children who have been abducted by witches and seeking revenge against all witches for the pain they had caused them in their youth.
I can only echo the sentiments surely voiced by the unhappy village’s underpaid sanitation specialists after one of many nearby battles: What a mess.
In several interviews, Wirkola named Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson as inspirations for his horror-comedy blends, but save for a clever running joke about Hansel s diabetes and a few gadgets, he brings none of the bloody wit or personality that made his predecessors so beloved. And while practicing white sorcery still involves spell books and such, becoming a white witch is less a matter of choice and more a matter of heredity in Hansel and Gretel s world.
Armed with an array of weaponry and an extensive knowledge of supernatural creatures, they travel from village to village, rescuing children who have been abducted by witches and seeking revenge against all witches for the pain they had caused them in their youth. The film follows the duo as they are hired by the mayor of a small town to investigate a series of child kidnappings. In their pursuit of the witches responsible, Hansel and Gretel uncover a dark and powerful witch who plans to use the stolen children in a terrifying ritual during the upcoming blood moon.
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
We at Plugged In strongly support the idea of raising children in cheerful, stable, cannibal/witch-free homes. Without such a setting, kids are statistically more likely to abuse alcohol and get in trouble at school. And if things take a really uncomfortable turn, they could well become homeless mercenaries, spending their adult lives hacking up and burning hags.
Take, for example, Hansel and Gretel. For a good chunk of their childhoods, these siblings grew up in an idyllic home setting with Mom and Pops—playing, eating dinner together and frolicking through the forest without a care in the world. Had they been able to stay with their parents through their inevitably turbulent teen years, perhaps their lives might’ve been different. Gretel might’ve become an advertising executive or doctor. Hansel could’ve been an accountant, or maybe gotten involved in embroidery work. They might’ve each gotten married, purchased nice, suburban homes and met each other from time to time for a chat over espressos at Grimm’s Olde Coffee Shoppe.
Alas, Hansel and Gretel’s home life took a terrible turn for the worse. One night, their father led the two urchins into the deep, dark forest and left them there, never to return. The next thing they know, they’re trapped inside a house made of candy, being force-fed sweets by an ugly, angry witch and stoking the very oven she plans to cook them in.
Thankfully, this hardy pair proved surprisingly resourceful, tossing the witch into her own oven and setting the broil dial to “kill.” Then, lacking proper adult guidance (or parents of any kind, actually) and needing to make a living somehow, the two orphans decided to pursue a trade that capitalizes on the only thing they really knew how to do: killing witches. They create their own informal extermination services, dispatching old crones and hags and wart-covered sorceresses wherever they may lurk.
Oh, this grim life has its rewards. They become celebrities, impressing villagers with their unmatched panache and grotesque, perilous tales (much like our modern rappers). They’re given enough coin for their bloody escapades to keep them in food and grog.
But perhaps, in the quiet moments as they scrub witch gore from their weapons, they wonder whether a different, more peaceful life might’ve been theirs … had their parents been able to take care of them.
Along the way, they encounter various challenges and formidable opponents, testing their skills and resolve. The movie combines elements of horror, comedy, and action, providing a visually thrilling and adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience. It expands on the traditional fairy tale and introduces new characters and plot twists. While it received mixed reviews from critics, it gained a cult following and became a commercial success. "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" offers an entertaining and unique take on the classic story, presenting the siblings as badass witch slayers. It showcases their dedication to justice and their quest for revenge, as they battle supernatural forces and face their own personal demons. With its fast-paced action sequences and dark humor, the film appeals to fans of fantasy and folklore. So, if you're looking for a thrilling and unconventional adaptation of the Hansel and Gretel tale, this movie is definitely worth a watch..
Reviews for "The Witch Hunter's Toolkit: Weapons and Gadgets in Hansel and Gretel"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "I found 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters' to be incredibly disappointing. The concept seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The storyline was disjointed and lacked depth, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in the characters. Additionally, the action sequences felt forced and over-the-top, detracting from any potential suspense. Overall, I believe this film failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters', but I was ultimately let down. The dark and gritty setting had promise, but it felt like the film was trying too hard to be edgy and ended up lacking substance. The dialogue was cheesy and the acting felt forced, making it hard to take the characters seriously. While the action scenes were entertaining at times, they couldn't compensate for the overall lackluster plot. I wouldn't recommend this film to those seeking a captivating and well-developed movie experience."