Movie Review: The Brothers Grimm

Hey there.

Got a chance to check out another film recently, "The Brothers Grimm". Now, when this first started coming out, I really wasn't expecting to check it out, but as I got to see more of the previews and by chatting with some friends, my interest peaked for this, so I got to check it out.

I was pleasantly surprised by this.

Best way to describe this film is a twisted, almost surreal fairy tale come to life. Think of all the well known fairy tales (Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, etc.) and put a different spin into it. Then take two brothers who are well known as fairy tale writers and find out that they're a pair of con artists who make up these stories to make a fast buck. Until they are caught by the authorities and are ordered to investigate a hoax or else. Only they find out this hoax is very much real, and the stories and characters are real as well.

Now, I was pleasantly surprised by this film because it pretty much hooked you in. If you're familiar with the fairy tales you grew up with, you almost instantly recognize which story is being talked about (I've heard they use four of them, but there might've been more than that). Songs and lullabyes used in these tales or you might've heard as a kid suddenly take on a more sinister, almost creepy tone. And how all of these stories link together to the universal plot really does work well. Plus, there are a ton of funny moments that made me and the audience laugh out loud. There's also some real scares and shocks and a few gory moments that also work in pace with the film.

Matt Damon and Heath Ledger, who play the brothers Grimm (Will and Jake, respectively) did a good job as they are swept into this surreal fantasy. But some of the supporting characters also had some key moments too. I won't give those away, you just have to see for yourself. There's a lot of CGI involved in this film. Some of it works, some of it doesn't, but the bad parts don't detract from the whole tone of this film and I give props to Terry Gilliam (12 Monkeys, Baron Munchhausen) who did a great job directing this and putting all of it together.

Pretty much, this film is a great ride of a fairy tale. Funny, scary, shocking, heartwarming and it all makes for a great movie. No doubt, this is my pick for the surprise dark horse film of the year.