Following the adventurous movie Snow White and The Huntsman which had mediocre reviews, comes The Huntsman: Winter's War. Charlize Theron returns as the wicked -- but beautiful -- Queen Ravenna. It’s not enough that wars can escalate over the simplest things; in this story two sisters come to deadly blows. That means their plan to conquer the Enchanted Forest together may not happen.

Ravenna’s good sister Freya (Emily Blunt) knows she needs to step up to overcome the evil deeds of her conceited sister. Her intentions are heartfelt. She’s happy to have elite Huntsman, Eric (Chris Hemsworth) on her side to handle her dedicated soldiers.

However, in the wink of an eye Freya changes. That’s because her cold-hearted sister has frozen Freya’s heart from caring or loving anyone, making her the Ice Queen. While Ravenna revels in her evil deeds, Freya is now changed. She mistreats her warriors and has a fit when she sees that her Huntsman has eyes for Sara (Jessica Chastain), one of her soldiers with the best bow-and-arrow ability. Freya bans all of her protectors from falling in love.

Sara and Eric become secret lovers until Freya changes Sara’s heart. She and Eric end up battling each other. Eric is then challenged to help Freya destroy Ravenna.

The film boasts a wonderful cast, even in such a narrow plot. Along with great performances by Theron, Chastain and Hemsworth are some very funny scenes with Nick Frost as Nion and Rob Brydon as Gryff, buddy sidekicks to Eric.  

Excitement in this film comes not from the characters or the story (which leaves some questions about its connection to the prior film). This second Huntsman adventure is all about  extraordinary special effects. Oscar®-nominated visual-effects expert Cedric Nicolas-Troyan (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Snow White and the Huntsman) directs and creates a stunning, scary and unnatural world. Movie goers must decide if that’s all they care about before buying a ticket.

(Released by Universal Pictures and rated  "PG-13" for fantasy action violence and sexual content.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.