The oftentimes rather gruesome tales from the brothers Grimm has been a standby for years in the TV and movie realms, from cartoon to live-action. Sometimes the tales are altered to suit a younger crowd, at others the gore is maintained.

In many of the latest uses of the fairy tales, the basic premise for the characters’ origins is enough to adapt and create new tales for new generations. “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” uses the film’s opening to create a back story akin to the original tale, then let audiences see how much badassery can occur when two orphans are talented, able and pissed off.

Well, that is what might have happened if the script had been a fair bit different, as in more story less trying to look cool.

The acting and everything is fine by all involved. The characters themselves are fleshed out just enough to make some of the stereotypical personalities believable. The plot has some darkness to it that could have gone further to make it a horror action movie, but instead it is a fantasy action movie that sits somewhere around the “Underworld” films; though still not as cool. Really, “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” falls below the new “Clash of the Titans” sequel “Wrath of the Titans.”

The movie does have nudity and plenty of blood-splattering combats, but none of them are dramatic. In every moment it is clear the heroes will win and there will be a happy ending.

Then there are a few plot details that appear to have been added because, well, because the writers didn’t know how to create enough climatic moments. For one, Hansel is a diabetic, or something of that mystical nature. A detail that is brought up, then hardly addressed until the end for a scene that really doesn’t make sense for it to be there. Also, the details of it make no sense, since the audience is left to guess at a detail no one cares about.

All the flaws of the film could have been forgiven if the movie had included a more comedic spin to the action. Unfortunately there really aren’t many jokes to be had, and the slightly humorous bits occur less often and with less punch than the comedy in “Braveheart.”

All in all, “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” is a fail in the movie-making biz. It has proven stars with award-level talent, yet fails to utilize them. Its action is not energizing. Its violence is not pronounced enough to be hard-hitting. The horror is cartoonish. The nudity is too brief to even be enticing enough to really compliment. The weird and intriguing level that could be had of Grimm fairy tales or even of a movie with steampunk-like weapons is hardly even there.

Basically, the movie should not have been made. Don’t bother going out of your way to see it. Catch it on a lazy evening when it appears on Netflix or on your premium channels.