Fairy tales have been an integral part of every Filipino’s
childhood. For some people, they use fairy tales as a means to lull their
children to sleep, while for some, they use it as bonding moments for their
kids. But in either case, fairy tales are undoubtedly the best examples of
literary masterpieces that showcase imagination, creativity and inspiration.
It’s no wonder why movie makers nowadays create modern
adaptations of these timeless classics. Here are a few past, present and
upcoming movie titles that were based on fairy tales we all know and love.
Beastly (2011)
Set in modern-day New York City, Beastly is a retelling of
the famous fairy tale The Beauty and the
Beast and stars Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingbury and Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy
Taylor. The story of the movie revolved around a wealthy, arrogant and
narcissistic boy who has no respect for his classmates. Kyle then plays a prank
on one of the school’s outcast, Kendra Hilferty by inviting her to a party but
then humiliating her in front of everyone.
Unknown to everyone, Kendra was actually a witch in
disguise. After her humiliation, Kendra then curses Kyle to make him as ugly as
his soul and the only way to undo the curse is for him to find true love within
a year. Fortunately, Lindy Taylor comes to the rescue and through a series of
coincidences the two develop mutual feelings of love for each other. And before
the movie ends, the curse was lifted and they lived happily ever after.
Directed by Daniel Barnz and written by Alex Flinn (novel).
Red Riding Hood
(2011)
The story of Red Riding Hood is about a young woman named
Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) who lives in the village of Daggerhorn, a small
village plagued by a werewolf. Unlike the original Red riding hood fairy tale,
the movie is laced with adult themed concepts such as adultery, deception and
betrayal.
But the major twist of the movie is about the relationship
between Valerie and the werewolf who happens to be his father. His father was
supposedly curse to become a werewolf and now plans to make Valerie one as
well. But Valerie refuses to become a werewolf and ends up killing her own
father together with his lover Peter (Shiloh Fernandez).
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke and written by David
Johnson.
Snow White and the
Huntsman (2012)
Snow White and the Huntsman is a fantasy film based on the
German Fairy Tale – Snow White. The film features a star-studded cast, the
likes of Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron. Unlike the first
two movies mentioned above, Snow White and the Huntsman comes really close to
the fairy tale in which it was based from, only darker.
The film follows almost the same story line as the fairy
tale but with darker and stronger characters. The movie doesn’t depict Snow
White as a harmless and fair lady, but a female warrior ready to fight to end
the reign of the evil queen. However, unlike the original Snow White, this
version didn’t follow the true love’s
kiss method of reviving the princess. The evil queen wasn’t also killed by
the prince. Instead, Snow white woke up through a non-romantic kiss from the
huntsman while the queen was slain not by the prince but by Snow White herself.
Directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Evan Daugherty.
Hansel and Gretel : Witch
Hunters (2013)
Hansel and Gretel : Witch Hunters is an upcoming action
comedy-horror film based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale entitled Hansel and
Gretel. The plot of the movie follows siblings Hansel and Gretel, 15 years
after their traumatic experience in a witch’s gingerbread house for children.
Fifteen years later, the two become expert witch hunters, dedicated
to exterminating witches. For this reason, the Mayor of Augsburg (a small town
found south-west of Bavaria, Germany) to rid the town and the neighboring
forest of a witch who plans to sacrifice all the children of the village at the
witches’ gathering during the Blood Moon night.
The movie will star Jeremy Renner as Hansel, Gemma Arterton
as Gretel and Famke Janssen as Muriel. The movie is scheduled to release on
January 11, 2013 and will be directed by Tommy Wirkola and written by D.W.
Harper and Tommy Wirkola.
Maleficent (2014)
Maleficent is an upcoming film based on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. However, unlike the
fairy tale, the movie focuses on the story of Princess Aurora in the eyes of the
evil witch Maleficent. Its crew started filming on June 18, 2012 with Angelina
Jolie as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora.
The film will be directed by Robert Stromberg and is written
by Paul Dini and Richard Zanuck and is scheduled to be released on March 14,
2014.
And there you have it, five movie titles that prove the
greatness of fairy tales as a medium of entertainment and that great works of
art transcends time and are simply timeless.
