Iffy for 16+
Brisk, outrageous action movie has tons of witchy violence.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is a very violent, bloody, action/horror/fantasy movie about what might have happened if the children from the famous fairy tale continued to kill witches and grew up to make a living at it. Despite its origins, this definitely isn't a fairy tale for children. It's full of outrageous violence, with women beaten up in battle, children in peril, lots of blood, minor characters killed in various ways, weapons, and more. There's some brief female nudity (a naked bottom and breast) and some minor, playful innuendo. Language includes a handful of uses of "f--k" and "s--t." And there's a scene in which the hero drinks too much and is shown suffering the consequences.
- Families can talk about Hansel and Gretel's outrageous violence. Does it seem necessary to the story? What effect does it have?
- When Hansel says "the only good witch is a dead witch," what doesn't he know about? What does he learn over the course of the movie that changes his view? How does his statement apply to other situations or stories you may have heard?
- How does this movie differ from the Grimm Brothers fairy tale? Is it any more or less violent? Why would violence be used in a children's story?
- Are Hansel and Gretel role models in this movie? Why or why not?
- Ben, a supporting character, collects newspaper clippings of Hansel and Gretel's killings and hopes to be a witch hunter himself someday. Why does he idolize them? What attracts him to this violence?
The good stuff
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Messages: Mixed messages about discrimination: The main characters believe that "the only good witch is a dead witch," but they eventually learn that there are good witches in the world as well and that such blanket statements are useless. At the same time, however, there's a closing message about how revenge "feels good."
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Role models: Hansel and Gretel are siblings who seem to work well together, and they're impressively skilled and courageous. But they also live a violent, sad, and guarded existence and often aren't very trusting of others.
What to watch for
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Violence: Constant outrageous, bloody fantasy violence and almost wall-to-wall fighting and chasing. Very powerful guns and other weapons are used. Bad guys are shot, stabbed, and beheaded. Heads are smashed. A man's stomach explodes. A witch is burned at the stake, and a man is hanged. Gretel is violently beaten up in a fight, and many female witches are viciously battered. Children are in peril. There's some scary, horrific witch-related imagery. Many minor characters are killed, in addition to one major supporting character.
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Sex: A pretty witch coaxes a wounded, shirtless Hansel into a pond by taking off her clothes. Her bottom is shown, as well as one naked breast. While in the water, they kiss. Meanwhile, a helpful young man mops the brow of an unconscious Gretel and succumbs to the urge to mop her cleavage a little bit. (She wakes and slaps his hand away.) Some kissing in a flashback.
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Language: "F--k" and "s--t" are each used a few times. Other words include "hell," "damn," "ass," and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Hansel drinks too much at a pub and is later shown passed out and groaning on the floor. A character is shown smoking a pipe. Hansel is shown to have "sugar sickness" (diabetes) and takes his insulin shot during two instances.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters by stevendbeard
This is an action/adventure/fairy tale that is an entertaining movie , although not too historically accurate [I'm betting that the writers might have missed a few of their History classes in high school] . It sort of reminded me of the 2011 remake of 'The Three Musketeers' [with Milla Jovovich] where they have gadgets and weapons that were not in those time periods , but they are kind of neat [and let's face it , this is not a documentary] . Anyway , the story covers what happens after the original fairy tale of Hansel & Gretel , when the kids are all grown up . Jeremy & Gemma play the adult witch killers that have made a business out of killing witches and travel from town to town , selling their witch killing skills [kind of like bounty hunters] . Peter plays the sheriff in a witch-infested town . The leader of the witches is played by Famke , the biggest and the baddest witch around . This is not for the little kiddies [language, nudity, violence] .
5
Fun Movie by IcyB45
Went to an advance screening of this movie and my friends and I loved it! It had laughs, blood and action. What more could you ask for? This definitely isn't a movie for the little ones so be sure to leave them at home. Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton did a fantastic job as the title characters Hansel and Gretel.
5
Desert rat, nite vision by Desert Rat nite vision
I really enjoyed this movie. Gemma A. what a beauty. Very good actress. Jeremy R. career, very versatile. The two had good chemistry. Action moved along at a good pace. Love the twist and sensuality of the movie fairy tale. Go see and enjoy. I wouldn't take the youngsters.
1
Should have realized it was an MTV movie by robert_wade
I usually like both lead actors, but this was such a waste of time. It didn't need the language and it didn't need the nudity. And then, of course, was the muppet-like ogre. Seriously? This movie is just one more bit of proof that it is impossible for MTV to make anything that's not garbage. What a complete waste of time & money.
4
Surprisingly enjoyable by YukinaKid
Though the 'F' word was used 5 times (the only word I can't stand), the acting was actually pretty enjoyable. The plot had huge holes in it that were never really explained (or tagged as an afterthought) but I actually enjoyed it more than I thought.
Jeremy Renner was pretty amazing as was Gemma Arterton (and she only screamed once or twice!) and... well I liked it. Whoever wrote the script jerked plot lines around like a marionette, but there was enough of one that I was satisfied. Definitely a "guilty pleasure" (wherein there is little plot but it is enjoyable anyways).
The level of gore is similar to an episode of Supernatural (CW) and kind of looks as fake as well. But the gore didn't dominate the movie.
Personally, I'd see it in 2D (cheapest) at a matinee time because otherwise you might feel that you wasted your money.
4
Very exciting Movie by indjeff
I'm not a fan of horror movies and this one isn't your traditional horror movie, but I was concerned that I wouldn't like it. I did like it. It kept my attention to the very end. Very good movie.
4
Enjoyable by dbjack
It is an interesting twist on an old tale. Some of the action was a little unbelievable but it did not detract too much from the film. It was great fun to see Gemma Atherton as a strong character. Renner was his usual self, comfortable being a tough guy. Might have wanted to see more of the good witch side in this movie. It was just too easy for the bad witch to take out the good witch. And the original good witch was a little silly, giving up without a fight. If you are going to get torched might as well bake a few cookies yourself. My favorite character though was Edward, not sure why, but Edward added a lot to the story.
2
The Grand Witch is the only one "acting" by Ssirsa
Please skip this one. Gemma's simply showing a cute face in most of the scenes. Renner is not acting either. Action sequences not very well coordinated. The grand witch is the only one who seems to be acting. It's a fantasy film which tries to project itself as an action flick but miserably fails at both.
2
I've got nothing by Ro13
Cheesy effects, Unnecessary gore (and I love gore), boring. Save your money....for what it's worth I did laugh at it in a B movie sort of way
2
too gory, stupid, pointless, grotesque by nngg
I knew this movie would not be good and didnt want to go- but my friend insisted. we both were going to go to another one however, then I began reading some faulty and stupid reviews which changed my mind- bad move. I saw it in imax 3d, and though the imax was good, it wasn't for this movie. First off..it was almost like a horror movie in 3d. the grotesque visuals of the witches was just awful- it was too disgusting and hard to sit through. This is more a movie for those who aren't sensitive. the movie isn't predictable, or anything- the entire story is just really really STUPID and pointless. really? witch hunters? it was pathetic and weird and even the concocted story for entertainment value was horrible. it was barely entertaining because of the goriness of the movie and the witches. I found it to be a pointless movie which even lacked entertainment value. I didn't want to go in the first place and never would again...that's 1.5 hours of my life i can't get back...