Snow White has officially joined the ranks of Disney’s live-action remakes. While some of the movie draws parallels to its original form, it includes modern adaptations to its storyline, but did it hit the mark?
What was originally an eagerly awaited live-action reboot of the 1937 Disney classic suffered bad publicity and backlash ahead of its recent premiere in LA.
Rachel Zegler, who plays the titular character, spoke openly in an interview about how she believes the movie is “dated” in terms of its representation of women in power. That, paired with the decision for the seven dwarfs to be computer-generated, sparked major controversy and ignited a media storm — leading to a journalist ban on the red carpet premiere.
Despite all the pre-release drama, the film’s early reviews have been somewhat positive and full of praise for Rachel. Snow White proves to be a refreshing reimagining of the iconic tale that both challenges the original’s conventions and offers new insights into its timeless themes.
How the new Snow White varies from the original
The core story of Snow White story hasn’t changed — The evil Queen still covets the title of “fairest of them all”, Snow White still runs away from the Queen’s wrath, and the iconic poisoned apple is the catalyst for her slumber. However, the updated version diverges significantly from the original in terms of both character arcs and themes.
One of the most prominent shifts is in Snow White herself. In the original, Snow White was seen as a passive, innocent victim who needed saving. Rachel is far more self-reliant and determined to shape her own destiny. She no longer waits for a prince to rescue her; instead, she embarks on a quest not just for love but for justice for her people. This modern take on the character flips the script on traditional fairy tales.
In the new film, Snow White’s love interest is no longer a prince. Instead, Jonathan (played by Andrew Burnap) is a poor thief likened to Robin Hood. He’s the leader of a rebel group devoted to the king who set out to oppose the Evil Queen (played by Gal Gadot).
The new film’s modern visual style features spectacular sets and CGI effects, which enhance the magic and grandeur of the original story.
An honest review of Snow White
A major highlight is Rachel’s stand-out performance, vocals and energy in the film. She has perfectly captured the essence of Snow White, balancing beauty, kindness and strength.
I prefer the new empowered version of Snow White’s character to the classic one. I love that she’s not just a damsel in distress waiting for a prince to save her — she saves her love interest first, and it’s later on that he saves her. An empowered heroine is far more relatable to today’s audiences.
The film’s visuals also deserve high praise. From the lush, enchanted forests to the intricately designed castles, the cinematography truly brings the magical world of Snow White to life. The use of CGI enhances the fairy-tale atmosphere, offering breathtaking landscapes and fantastical creatures.
The soundtrack, which includes a mix of original compositions and new songs composed by songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, like Waiting on a Wish, is another standout.
Whilst I was impressed with the overall use of CGI, one of my biggest disappointments was the CGI of the seven dwarfs instead of real actors. Rather than evoking warmth or humour, the CGI dwarfs come across as creepy, uncanny and distracting from the magical tone of the film.
I was also disappointed with the early exit of the King (Hadley Fraser). His character arc, which plays a crucial role in the classic story, is underdeveloped, and his absence leaves the plot feeling incomplete.
Is Snow White a hit?
As the reboot of one the most iconic animated films, and other popular adaptations such as Snow White and the Huntsman and Mirror Mirror, Snow White has a built-in fanbase. With a star-studded cast, modernised story and magical visuals it’s likely to be a big hit for Disney.
Recent live-action adaptations of classics, such as Lion King, Beauty and the beast and Wicked grossed over $1 billion whilst The Little Mermaid made over $550 million. These films were also initially met with mixed reactions but eventually gained loyal followings.
It remains to be seen whether Snow White will reach similar heights. If it can ride the wave of positive reviews of Rachel’s performance and the empowering elements of the story, it may see a similar level of success.
Snow White is now playing in cinemas Australia-wide.
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