After the town sheriff (Stormare) accuses Mina (Viitala) of being a witch, the witch-hunting celebrity siblings Hansel and Gretel (Renner and Arterton) come to rescue her and find out what's really going on. The sheriff is convinced that Hansel and Gretel are con artists, and puts together his own team to undermine them. But the the duo discover that they have a huge fan in local teen Ben (Mann), and he joins with them to take on the mayhem-causing evil witch Muriel (Janssen).

The film opens with a horror-style version of the bedtime story before the animated titles trace Hansel and Gretel's career as bounty hunters. They arrive on the scene like American action heroes, swearing and head-butting and waving gigantic guns around. It's not like we expect this story to be told seriously, so the satirical blockbuster approach is actually rather amusing. As is the extreme grisliness. Honestly, who knew that sawn-off shotguns were the weapon of choice in medieval Europe?

All of this makes the film feel like an elaborately over-produced spoof: a Tarantino-style take on a Grimms' fairy tale. Renner and Arterton maintain a 21st century post-modern wit even as everyone else chomps mercilessly on the scenery. Even the emotional bits about their lost parents are played with an exaggerated sentimentality. Hansel's romance with Mina is hilariously earnest. And Janssen is so over-the-top nasty that you can't help but like her a little bit.

Audience members who look for suspense or thrills are going to be badly disappointed, but the film's snarky attitude and nonstop pace at least makes it enjoyable. And the action sequences are at least well-staged, with a lively use of special effects and makeup to add visual bang. Of course Ben will join with our heroic duo when his sister is kidnapped. Obviously all of this is linked to the siblings' childhood. And we suspect Muriel is heading for a fiery end. But getting there is rather good fun.

themes, language, grisly violence

6.Feb.13