Hmm... Not a bad movie. Although it could be better. A bit disturbing though. I mean, I knew that most of the fairy tales originally were creepy and they were more an adult oriented. Not until recent story re-telling that managed to make those fairy tales to children bed time stories. But it is interesting interpretation.

The brothers Grimm of Will (Matt Damon) and Jake (Heath Ledger) are folklore collectors and con-artists. They travel from town to town pretending to protect the people from evil magical creatures. A French general named DeLatombe (Jonathan Pryce) and an Italian assasin named Cavaldi (Peter Stormare) are arresting them for breaking the law and force them to help finding missing children. They encounter a real evil magical curse in a haunted forest, and only a huntress named Angelika (Lena Headey) can help them fight an evil Mirror Queen (Monica Bellucci) who is responsible for the missing children. Directed by Terry Gilliam.

I am sure you all know the old stories of Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Gingerbread Man, The Frog Prince, Jack and The Beanstalk, and Snow White. And new stories like Legend and Wizard of Oz. Seems harmless, right? Well, not really. If you look closer, you'll find some disturbing storylines there about gore, sex, and even murder. Not exactly kids friendly. I blame Walt Disney for toned it down, heheh. Terry Gilliam has a knack of directing uncomfortable movies, like "Twelve Monkeys" which I thought was brilliant. But his movies aren't exactly horror either, only slightly creepy. This movie alternates campy romping good-times with the sort of darker chaotic silliness. Sometimes it's funny with a dash of grim. The movie is endlessly inventive and ludicrously complex, but pretty easy to follow. But I think "Sleepy Hollow" is better. Tim Burton should be the one making this movie.

Matt Damon is surprising as the somewhat cowardly and overly dramatic Will Grimm, but Heath Ledger, usually so mercilessly pretty, gained my everlasting respect by his portrayal of Jake Grimm, the gullible and hyper-romantic uber-geek. I am looking forward to see him as The Joker in "Batman Begins" sequel.  And that's the true draw of this movie. Nothing in it is willing to meekly submit to normal expectations. Although I thought it's a waste of talent from Monica Bellucci who is a great actress, but she reduce and lower herself as being a mediocre character. Poor her. The curse of being beautiful. I hate the special effects, though. I think it's crappy. Is this movie disturbing? Oh, yes. Several scenes are completely unsuitable for kids. Heck, one of 'em scared me! Damn it, they killed a kitten with a horrible result! Yuck! But is it fun? Dreadfully fun! And probably more than can be absorbed within a single viewing.

Ratings: 5.5/10