Snow White (2025)

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Since its groundbreaking debut in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has stood as the cornerstone of Disney’s animation legacy, setting the gold standard for fairy tale adaptations. As the first full-length animated feature, it not only changed the industry but also captivated generations with its timeless story and unforgettable characters. However, Disney’s recent live-action remakes have largely missed the mark, and Snow White, directed by Marc Webb, is no exception. Weighed down by pre-release controversy, this reimagining fails to capture the magic of the original, faltering in nearly every area.

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The film loosely follows the original plot, with Snow White (Rachel Zegler) becoming the target of her envious stepmother, the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). Snow White flees the castle and finds refuge in the forest, where she befriends the seven dwarfs. This version introduces a more assertive Snow White and adds Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), a thief who aids her. While modernization can bring new depth, these changes feel forced and disrupt the fairy tale’s inherent charm, ultimately failing to enhance the narrative. The Queen’s jealousy and dark magic remain key plot points, but the film struggles to merge these updates without losing the original’s emotional core and whimsical appeal.

Unfortunately, the film’s tone is erratic, and the characters feel underdeveloped, resulting in a disjointed and unsatisfying plot. It’s unclear whether the filmmakers aimed to stay true to the original or offer a bold new perspective, and as a result, the film does neither. This confusion is evident in the awkward dialogue, which feels stiff and unnatural – like something from a middle school play. The conversations lack chemistry, and the plot constantly teeters on the edge of falling apart, making it difficult to stay engaged.

Another major misstep is the overuse of CGI. Rather than casting real actors for the seven dwarfs, the filmmakers chose to create them with CGI, resulting in characters that look unnervingly lifelike. This decision strips the dwarfs of the warmth and charm they had in the animated classic. The same issue occurs with the animal characters, whose exaggerated, cartoonish eyes are more jarring than endearing. The heavy reliance on CGI makes the film feel artificial, as though digital effects were used to avoid the effort of employing real actors or practical effects that could have added authenticity and heart to the film.

The costumes are another disappointment. Despite being designed by Sandy Powell, the three-time Oscar-winning costume designer behind Kenneth Branagh’s 2015 Cinderella adaptation, the results are surprisingly lackluster. Snow White’s iconic dress looks cheap and uninspired, and the overall costume design doesn’t evoke the magical allure needed for a fairy tale. Instead of drawing viewers into a fantastical world, the costumes feel flat and forgettable, squandering the opportunity for visual wonder.

The casting, unfortunately, leans heavily toward disappointment. Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White is gentle but lacks the emotional depth necessary to make her character compelling, and her musical performances fall flat. Gadot’s take on the Queen is equally underwhelming – she never fully embodies the menacing presence of the character, instead coming off as petulant and exaggerated. The lack of chemistry between Zegler and Gadot only weakens their interactions, undermining the central conflict.

Adding to the disappointment, Zegler faced backlash during the press tour after some fans overreacted to her comments about the original story, further souring perceptions of her performance. Gadot’s limited emotional range and lack of musical talent make her an odd choice for such an iconic villain, especially given the weak connection between her and Zegler.

In the end, Snow White is a significant letdown. Rather than revitalizing the classic, it stumbles into a visually off-putting and emotionally flat remake that fails to measure up to its predecessor. The overuse of CGI, lackluster performances, uninspired costumes, and awkward dialogue drain the magic from the story, leaving it unrecognizable and ultimately forgettable. Disney’s version of “reinvention” feels like a soulless cash grab, reflecting their reluctance to do anything more than churn out lazy, hollow remakes. At this point, it’s fair to ask: has original thought and imagination completely left the legendary studio?