“Slow.” “Half-hearted.” Lacks originality.” “An all around disappointment.” On March 21, the live-action adaptation of the cherished Disney cartoon, “Snow White” was released, nearly 88 years after the original film. However, it feels as though the movie has received nothing but endless controversy, racist backlash, and hate since the first tickets were sold. The one-star reviews have made this film appear to be practically the worst of the decade. Though, these criticisms have been quite a surprise considering that lead actress, Rachel Zegler, and many Disney live-action movies have such a following. This prompts the question: how bad is “Snow White” really? The answer: not bad at all.
Needless to say, some of the controversy surrounding this film is understandable. Both Zegler (Snow White) and her co-star Gal Gadot (Evil Queen) have been very outspoken, sharing their views on current politics and the 2024 Presidential Election. Zegler has also emphasised her disfavor for the original animated storyline (saying that it was “extremely dated”). As a result of this, many people have developed a distaste for the movie and its casting, without even having seen the film.
However, just as a book shouldn’t be judged by its cover, this film shouldn’t be judged by its harsh reviews. While certain aspects of this movie were somewhat underwhelming, such as the rushed backstory, the film itself definitely didn’t earn the hostility that it has received. Overall, “Snow White” has much more to offer than not, taking viewers on a magical ride from beginning to end.
As someone who has a fondness for the other Disney live-action adaptations, including “Cinderella,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid,” I can confidently say that “Snow White” didn’t disappoint. While there were some slight changes from the original storyline of this beloved tale (such as certain character and scene modifications), none of these alterations took away from the overall enjoyment of the film.
One thing that did stand out, however, was the removal of a charming prince as Snow White’s love interest; in the adaptation he is portrayed as a rogue bandit named Jonathan (played by Andrew Burnap). Some individuals are not a fan of this change, saying that Jonathan’s character lacks originality and is too similar to Flynn Ryder from the Disney film “Tangled,” yet I think this modification only adds to the entertainment and intrigue of “Snow White.”
From the opening to the closing scenes of the movie, I was blown away by the enchanting set and scenery within the film. For instance, the seven dwarf’s gorgeous, quaint, cottage was a spot-on representation of their home from the original cartoon. Additionally the Evil Queen’s castle and the chambers containing her magic mirror were expertly portrayed, and they brought an eerie and ominous feel to the movie. Furthermore, the scene in which Snow White runs panickedly into the haunted forest, and the scene where the Evil Queen conjures up a poisoned apple to give to Snow White, were very realistic. These segments were captivating and paralleled the same scenes from the original film.
When it comes to the casting, I believe that Zegler fits the role of Snow White perfectly. From her soaring voice, to her kind and passionate disposition, she turned out to be the ideal actress for the part. However, despite the success of the lead role, it’s arguable that Gadot could’ve done a better job with her performance as the Evil Queen. As far as appearance goes, she was definitely the right choice, and the flowing costumes that she wore were nothing short of magnificent. Yet, she didn’t demand a presence in quite the same way that the Evil Queen did in the original cartoon, which made her seem more like a supporting character opposed to the main antagonist.
In addition to the casting and set of “Snow White,” the soundtrack also added depth to the film. Several songs that stood out specifically were “Waiting on a Wish,” “A Hand Meets a Hand,” “Princess Problems” and “All is Fair.” All three lead cast members (Zegelr, Gadot, and Burnap) executed these songs extremely well, which further immersed viewers in the film. Additionally, these compositions are all the more impressive considering that much of the music included in the movie was entirely original, as it was written just for the adaptation.
Another aspect of the movie that has been frivolously debated, is the use of CGI (computer-generated images) for the dwarfs. Rather than including little people to fill the roles, the characters were instead composed of animation and VFX (visual effects). Although physical actors weren’t used for these parts, the dwarfs actually ended up looking rather endearing and realistic, adding sentiment and spirit to the film.
All in all, Disney’s “Snow White” was truly entertaining. From Zegler’s mind-blowing vocals, to the charming and quaint setting of this film, I was captivated from the opening scene to the credits. Some may argue that the acting wasn’t award winning or the dwarfs were too unrealistic, however the overall intent of this movie was to entertain all of the individuals who have grown up adoring this Disney princess. So even if “Snow White” didn’t appeal to everyone, it was, without a doubt, a very enjoyable and magical viewing experience for the intended audience, and for those who watched with an open mind. I’m excitedly awaiting to see what Disney has in store for us next.
