Watch The Brothers Grimm

In "The Brothers Grimm," directed by Terry Gilliam, Matt Damon and Heath Ledger portray the legendary German brothers who roamed the countryside in the early 19th century and collected stories that would become the basis for their famous fairy tales. The film takes creative liberties with the brothers' lives, portraying them as con artists who use their knowledge of folklore to scam villagers by pretending to rid their towns of supernatural creatures like witches, ghosts and werewolves.

The brothers are portrayed as opposites in personality and outlook. Will (Damon) is the extroverted, charismatic one, while Jake (Ledger) is the more introspective, cerebral one. They are forced to work together after they are caught and imprisoned by French soldiers who are occupying Germany. The French commander, Cavaldi (Jonathan Pryce), orders the brothers to investigate a mysterious town in the nearby Black Forest where young girls are disappearing without a trace. The town is ruled by an evil queen (Monica Bellucci), who has made a deal with the devil to remain eternally youthful.

As the brothers investigate the town, they encounter a host of strange characters and supernatural occurrences. They are aided by a fearless and resourceful young girl named Angelika (Lena Headey), who is determined to rescue her younger sister from the queen's clutches. Together, the trio uncovers the queen's true identity and motives, and devises a plan to defeat her and the devil once and for all.

The film blends elements of fantasy, horror, comedy and adventure, as well as references to the Grimms' own tales, such as "Little Red Riding Hood," "Hansel and Gretel" and "Rapunzel." Gilliam's visual style is whimsical and eccentric, with colorful costumes, elaborate sets and CGI effects that bring the fairy tale world to life. The writing is clever and witty, with plenty of self-aware humor and satire. The cast, including supporting players like Peter Stormare and Mackenzie Crook, all give lively and memorable performances.

Despite its strengths, "The Brothers Grimm" has been criticized for its convoluted plot and uneven pacing. Some of the action scenes are hard to follow, and the resolution of the main conflict feels rushed and anticlimactic. Additionally, some have accused the film of being overly violent and scary for children, despite its PG-13 rating.

Overall, "The Brothers Grimm" is a flawed but entertaining film that offers a unique spin on the classic fairy tale genre. Its imaginative world-building, charming performances and witty writing make it a worthwhile watch for fans of Gilliam, Damon, Ledger or the Grimms' stories themselves.

The Brothers Grimm is a 2005 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 51.