Review | Snow White (2025)

Disney remakes the classic animated movie Snow White for a new age. But can Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot make this a remake to remember?

Let’s face facts. The original animated version of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs was a game-changer for movies. That style and incredible use of animation redefined cinema. It is one of the best-animated movies of all time and still has the power to thrill audiences even today. Over the past few years, Disney has remade some of its classic animated movies to various forms of success. 

Now it’s the turn of Snow White to get the treatment. Rachel Zegler plays the ultimate Disney Princess, with Gal Gadot playing the evil queen. The question is, can the film drag the story into the 21st century while keeping the charm, grace and love of the original version? Or should it have taken its own bite of the poisoned apple and not awoken to hit cinemas?  Some spoilers ahead.

PREMISE

A princess joins forces with Seven Dwarfs to liberate her kingdom from her cruel stepmother, the Evil Queen.

THOUGHTS

I’m sad to report that the film, although containing some semblance to what we know and love, isn’t one of the better remakes. At no time did the film thrill me or hit the enjoyment buttons fully. Updating it for the modern age is one thing. Destroying almost everything that we hold dear about the property is something else. Whether it be changing the lyrics to certain classic tunes, changing character traits that should never have been changed at all, to extracting all the joy and soul from the property in certain places. 

Much has been made regarding the casting and the comments made by actress Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s Israeli heritage. This has certainly had an effect on the buildup of the film, some of it justified. However, it isn’t the casting that’s the problem. It’s the fault of the script and the desire to make the film ‘woke.’ From the start to the very end, this isn’t what we are expecting. Or desiring. Instead, we are given something that won’t be loved or remembered fondly in the future.

This is despite a winning appearance from Gal Gadot as the wicked queen. One that is surprisingly shorter than we would be expecting. Rachel Zegler is fairly good as the title character but is let down by a screenplay that sees her by the climax look like she wants vengeance. The look on her face is one of anger and arrogance, traits that the character should never portray. 

CLASSIC NODS

The film does contain nods back to the classic animated version. Scenes of Snow White in the forest amongst wild animals, the landing of the bird on her finger, and the deer leading her to the Seven Dwarfs’ cottage. These are recreated nicely, bringing us some joy. Also, the classic scene of Dopey with diamonds in his eyes is recreated brilliantly. And the Magic Mirror recreation is inspired, giving the audience a much-welcome hark back to the original.  These scenes stand out in this remake.

CHANGES

Some of the changes to the story grate. Prince Charming doesn’t exist here. Instead, he is a new character, Jonathan, played by Andrew Burnap. Instead of being a prince, he is, instead, a woodland bandit, a rebel who wants to defy the Evil Queen’s monarchy. Rachel Zegler gets her wish as the song ‘Someday My Prince Will Come’ is omitted from the film’s soundtrack. The classic ‘Hi Ho’ song remains but with altered lyrics that drag the film into the 21st century. The mine scene now resembles a cross between Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit. It looks good but doesn’t fit, taking us out of the charm the film should have.

The classic scene of the Queen’s transformation before her demise is gone. Instead, it is replaced by a scene that feels as if it’s been ripped from The Matrix or The Mummy. The ending of the film is completely changed. Fans of the original version expecting the charming, happy ending won’t get it. There is the happy ending, of course; that much isn’t up for debate. But it is not as satisfying as we would have expected. However, the transformation of the Queen into the old hag, complete with a poisoned apple, although different, is actually a good change. This is one scene and sequence that does have chills running down our spines. Both Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot nail this brilliantly, although why Snow White takes a bite is different.

THE SEVEN DWARFS

There has been much controversy over how the Seven Dwarfs have been portrayed. To a certain extent, they are justified. The CGI that recreates these lovable characters takes us out of the film to an extent. We do enjoy seeing them appear in the film, how could we not? But in one of the worst changes, Dopey is depicted as not wanting to speak, to be too scared to say anything. He is portrayed almost like a little boy who is scared of his own shadow. And then the unspeakable change happens. He speaks. Dopey, so lovable in the animated film and charming with his silence throughout, suddenly begins talking. To many, this may come as a welcome change. To me, it is a huge mistake, one the film suffers from. 

RACHEL ZEGLER

Let’s get this out of the way now. When she was announced as being Snow White, Rachel Zegler was attacked, and accusations of colour-blind casting were levelled at her and the film. I strongly rejected those ridiculous comments then, and I strongly reject them now. To many, the actress shouldn’t have been cast in the film, and that was before the comments that led to more ire towards her. While I think she is good, rather than great, in the role, she makes it HER role.

In my initial reaction comments, I said she was a poor Snow White. For that, I apologise to the actress. After thinking about the film and her performance, I admit I was wrong. She plays the role as best she can. It is the script that lets her down, trying to drag the character into a new age while also trying to keep the original version. It doesn’t work and comes across as confusing. I can understand the direction they wanted the character to go down, but I’m sorry. Making her a strong, independent woman may work in other movies but not in a Disney film about a Princess.

GAL GADOT

Gal Gadot chills us as the Evil Queen. Despite being in the film less than we thought, she gives a tremendously evil performance. From her first introduction to her final scenes, the actress nails the role to perfection. She also gets her own song and dance sequence which takes us by surprise. The transformation sequence into the old hag is mostly done in silhouette, but when she appears in her disguise, she scares us. Her scenes with Snow White show a character dripping with hatred and loathing. It is a wonderful performance from Gal Gadot. 

BEHIND THE CAMERAS

Directed by Marc Webb and written by Erin Cressida Wilson, the film is enjoyable in parts. Webb directs the film well, getting some great performances from his cast, staging the musical sequences colourfully and making the film look great. Many of the special effects hit the mark. Sadly, many don’t either. The Dwarfs are the main problem with the effects. Also, after Wicked, the film feels like something we have seen before, as well as something we haven’t seen before. It is a paradox at times. The films are different while also feeling like they are joined together. It is a confusing aspect at times that has us starting to feel we are watching a different movie than we thought we would see. One that has been done before.

The screenplay, while trying to tell us the tale with a modern twist, will shock some of the audience. Anyone expecting to see a live-action remake of the animated version won’t recognise some of what they will see. As I’ve said before, updating the property is one thing. Changing it to what we get in the film is something else. Maybe that’s the reason I’ve got problems with the film. Perhaps I expected the film to be the lovable tale I’ve adored since a young age. Maybe its the shock of seeing the property changed so much that some of it is unidentifiable to me. Many of my fellow critics adored the film, and that’s great. I’m just sad I don’t share their affection for this film.

VERDICT

The film, although a disappointment for me, will find legions of fans worldwide. They will read my comments and completely disagree with me. That is the nature of the beast. If we all loved the same things, the world would be a pretty boring place. I may be making it sound as if the film is bad. Believe me, it’s not. It will appeal to families and may become one of their favourite movies. It will certainly appeal to younger viewers, who will be amazed by the CGI creatures that appear. One of them, the young deer, reminded me so much of Bambi I wouldn’t be shocked to learn Disney is making a live-action remake of that film. The special effects are there to make it believable. But this one thought alone will show that my mind was yearning for something that would resonate with me.

Musical numbers, magical animals and some great performances can’t hide the fact that this isn’t the film we expected to see. Don’t get me wrong, the messages and morals shine through from the start. But they feel like an afterthought after everything the film contains. My fellow reviewer, Darcie, completely adored the film, calling it one of her favourite remakes of them all. While I’m pleased she has a different opinion to me, I can’t agree with her.

MAYBE TOO HARSH?

Maybe it’s because I’ve loved the original version ever since I first saw it (I was 3). I could be being too harsh. But I left the screening feeling deflated and empty for all the fun I should have had. While the film certainly doesn’t deserve or need to take a bite from a poisoned apple, it doesn’t have me wanting to whistle while I work. And that’s the biggest letdown of them all.

Disney’s Snow White opens in cinemas on March 21st.

 

 

 

 

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