Snow White Review: Rachel Zegler’s Disney Remake Is Half Of A Good Movie

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Making “Snow White” into a film today isn’t an easy task. It’s not a surefire hit and there are numerous drawbacks, particularly with the portrayal of the dwarfs. However, Disney’s 1937 animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” being their first feature, presents a ripe opportunity for a remake, perhaps even more so than other, more contemporary titles. With nearly 90 years having passed, little girls (and let’s face it, their sisters and mothers too) are longing for a modern interpretation of “Snow White.” In many respects, this new movie fulfills that desire.

In Marc Webb’s modern take on the Brothers Grimm tale, Snow White (played by Rachel Zegler) shows a strong sense of independence, deviating from her 1937 counterpart. However, both her romantic entanglement and her struggle to reclaim her kingdom are equally emphasized. Unfortunately, the man she becomes involved with is less than impressive, and the CGI dwarfs may require some refinement. Moreover, Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen appears to be more enjoyable than other aspects of the film, leaving some parts seeming effective while others necessitate a reevaluation.

In this story, we all know the basic outline. After Snow White’s mother passes away, her father unwisely marries the Wicked Queen who later reveals her true nature when he departs for war. Over time, the Wicked Queen turns Snow White into a servant until her magic mirror informs her that she is no longer the most beautiful – it’s Snow White. Enraged, she commands her Huntsman (Ansu Kabia) to murder Snow White in the forest and bring back her heart, but when push comes to shove, he can’t go through with it. Consequently, Snow White escapes and seeks refuge with the seven dwarves.

This segment of the film pays tribute to its predecessor in numerous ways, such as the dwarfs discovering Snow White asleep in their beds and a reimagined “Whistle While You Work.” Throughout the story, Snow White experiences various adventures, some with the dwarves, others with resistance leader Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), and still others with both. Eventually, she encounters the Evil Queen disguised as an old woman, and the outcome of this encounter is predictable. The film concludes with a long finale that wraps up the narrative, but unlike the original, true love’s kiss isn’t the only objective in this version.

The most egregious element of Snow White

In the movie’s concluding scenes, Snow White’s objectives of restoring kindness and generosity in her kingdom, as well as finding true love, seem to unfold separately rather than simultaneously, which might have been more logical. Yet, the creators of this film didn’t manage to merge these two paths, instead choosing to honor the 1937 original by keeping them distinct.

In this modern take on Snow White, the CGI dwarves stand out as the biggest oddity. While they’re hinted to be magical beings, having resided in the woods for centuries and working in the mines, it’s confusing that their identity isn’t explicitly stated. To add to the puzzle, a live-action little person is introduced as part of the gang of thieves and rebels. However, calling them “dwarves” is avoided entirely; they remain unnamed entities. Given the historical significance of this tale, omitting their clear definition leaves the storyline somewhat blurry and unsatisfying for many viewers like myself who cherish the original lore.

Although the dwarfs in this movie have their sweet moments, the poor quality of their computer-generated imagery makes it tough to fully appreciate them. Even when they display adorable or endearing actions, the less-than-stellar visual effects tend to detract from the enjoyment. Disney found themselves in a tricky situation with this one, as there was no way to satisfy everyone with their approach. One might wonder if, when creating “Snow White,” they really needed to make the dwarfs look so peculiar.

The best and worst parts of Snow White

In the movie, it is Andrew Burnap, portraying Jonathan, who stands out for delivering the most underwhelming performance. Despite being a Tony Award winner boasting an impressive background, Burnap fails to blend seamlessly into this film’s universe. He struggles to make an impact, particularly when compared to Rachel Zegler, who is nothing short of remarkable as Snow White. Zegler not only possesses a beautiful singing voice but manages to embody the role uniquely, captivating the audience with her magnetic charisma and compassionate demeanor.

It’s unexpected to see Gal Gadot playing the Evil Queen, given her success in the “Wonder Woman” films where she didn’t have to show a wide range of acting skills. However, it seems that Gadot has the talent to pull off this role, as she brings a delightfully exaggerated and enjoyable performance to the table. She revels in the opportunity to portray a villain, and her solo number is one of the film’s highlights. The new songs by EGOT winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are charming additions, blending seamlessly with the older tunes from the original movie while adding depth to the characters and plot.

The movie poses some intriguing queries: Could the dwarfs be mining the queen’s jewels? Why does Snow White predominantly wear a yellow and blue dress throughout the film? Furthermore, is a monarchy the ideal government for Snow White’s people to experience the fairness and freedom she advocates for them? Although it seems we’re meant to focus on the film rather than ponder these issues excessively, the conflict between the Evil Queen and Snow White is engaging enough. At least half of this movie — particularly the clash between the Evil Queen and Snow White — is entertaining enough to watch.

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2025-03-19 22:00