Disney’s latest live-action remake delivers an interesting and poignant retelling of the story of Snow White, surpassing the pre-meditated, low expectations. Amid an abundance of controversies, most notably the casting and the representation of the seven dwarfs, this is an overall, enjoyable watch.
‘Unnecessary’ is a term that is often used to describe many of Disney’s previous live-action releases, such as 2019’s The Lion King. Yet, nearly 88 years later, Snow White has received what appears to be a much-needed, further-developed storyline and exploration of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale.
Regarded as the foundation of Disney as we know it, due to it being their first ever feature-length animation, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has clearly stood the test of time, retaining much of its excellence and charm. Despite this, it feels refreshing to reintroduce what feels like a ‘new’ princess for today’s modern generation, bringing what was an iconic masterpiece back to the forefront of Disney media. Snow White (2025) is exactly that- a deeper exploration and advancement of an iconic film that we already know and love, rather than a replacement or ‘upgrade.’ As important as it is to pay respect to the history of famous stories and the past lives of some of cinema’s best productions, Snow White is best approached with an open mind.
Starring Rachel Zegler in the titular role of Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the production is not without its issues. There may be many standout wins for Disney’s most recent release but Snow White missed out on crucial elements of the story-book-like aesthetic elements used in the original production. The attempt to engage a younger, more modern audience familiar with the vibrant colours of current children’s animation, resulted in Snow White lacking that same feeling of a story ‘jumping’ off the page that is promised in the opening scene. Therefore, also missing out on the crucial warm and fuzzy nostalgia-feeling that viewers were seeking.
It has to be said though, that Snow White remains consistent in its aim to bring much more of a musical-style flair to the classic tale, and to make the story more well-known to a younger audience, who are perhaps more familiar with the likes of Cinderella and Belle within Disney’s princess sphere. ‘Waiting on a Wish’ is an enchanting and inspiring earworm, and is sure to become a favourite, truly showcasing Zegler’s talent, reinforcing exactly why she is our modern-day Snow White.
Another of the many positives regarding the modernised retelling was the enhanced characterisation of Snow White’s prince, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap). Yes, that’s right- he gets a name, and she actually gets to know him, bonus! Whilst his mid-film duet ‘Princess Problems’ with the princess is enough to make you cringe, Jonathan brought an uplifting chemistry to the screen, adding to the core appeal of this fairytale revamp – a charming and spirited prince archetype perfect for audience likeability.
One thing that viewers were most hesitant about was the CGI dwarfs. Whilst they are not as poorly executed as perhaps expected from a typical Disney remake, their appearance and mannerisms do provide a lack of connection to the story. In spite of this, they do have a unique and interesting look about them, reflective of the nostalgic and quaint feeling that fairytales also do. However, the big issue with Snow White does not in fact fall at the hands of the dwarves, but instead with Gal Gadot. The Evil Queen is just not scary. To showcase her vanity, she is unconvincing and stiff- with overly modern-looking costuming and jewellery sealing the nail in the coffin. As a result, Gadot’s Evil Queen lost all her sincerity and ‘scariness,’ instead replaced with a drama-queen-esque character that fell flat. Perhaps her menacing demeanour was hidden behind the glitz and glamour?
The Verdict
Snow White (2025) has turned a classic tale into something new and special, creating a real princess and a new role model for children growing up right now. Despite displaying a slight loss of direction, Snow White is one of Disney’s better re-visits of a beloved, classic production.
Words by Mia Stapleton
Snow White released in cinemas on March 21st.
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