Introduction Snow White
Your clearly most anticipated review of Snow White 2025 is here, and today, we’re diving into Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White. Before we get started, let’s set the stage and prime everyone for what we’re about to experience.
Setting the Stage
I am not someone who holds the original cartoon in particularly high regard, though I absolutely respect it. It was the first feature-length animated film and paved the way for some of the greatest movies ever made, many of which are my genuine favorites. However, as with many movies that started it all, as time passes and storytelling evolves, the original starts to show its age and becomes a bit archaic in its approach. Even as a kid, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was never my go-to film. It wasn’t something I was excited about, and frankly, I’m not the target audience.
This movie is for little girls and huge fans of the original, aiming to bring two generations together. I don’t belong to either of those groups, so for me, at best, it was just a film I’d take my wife and daughters to, hoping they’d enjoy it more than I would.
I wasn’t walking into this with any predisposition to hate it, nor did I have a bone to pick. I knew about the controversies surrounding the film over the last few years, from Peter Dinklage’s concerns about the portrayal of dwarfs to the backlash from Rachel Zegler’s remarks about her character. Despite all of that, I approached the movie hoping it would entertain me and offer a good story, solid characters, and enjoyable performances. That’s what I’m judging it on.
A Quick Recap of the Original Plot
In case you haven’t seen the original Snow White, the basic plot revolves around Snow White, who is the heir to a kingdom. After her father, the king, dies, her evil stepmother, a beautiful but wicked queen, tries to have Snow White killed because a magical mirror tells her Snow White is more beautiful than she is. Snow White survives the assassination attempt and ends up in the forest, where she befriends a group of dwarfs. While the original film focused on “True Love’s First Kiss,” this version shifts the story to Snow White reclaiming her rightful throne.
Is Snow White Any Good?
So, is this live-action remake any good? Does it deserve to be adapted for modern audiences, or is it a film that will simply fail and die at the box office? Let’s break it down.
The Positives
Ironically, the best part of this movie is Rachel Zegler, the star who has been at the center of most of its controversy. Despite the things she said on the red carpet, I believe she’s a very talented actress and an even better singer. She proved that in West Side Story, and once again, she shines in both of these areas in this film. She captures Snow White’s character well, carries the movie, and delivers a charming performance. A lot of people won’t agree with that, but I think she does a solid job.
Visually, the film looks great overall. Some parts are a little muted and gray, possibly due to re-shoots, but for the most part, when Snow White is in the forest or interacting with the dwarfs and animals, the film is vibrant and colorful. It’s a feast for the eyes and feels like a modern take on the classic animated film.
While not every song in the movie is a hit, I found the majority of the music to be catchy and enjoyable. I’m not a big fan of musicals, but I appreciated the balance between new songs and the classic ones carried over from the original. It’s a good mix, and for a movie like this, where music plays a big role, having an actress who can sing really helps.
Another highlight is Dopey, one of the dwarfs. I loved the way his relationship with Snow White developed, with some heartfelt moments between the two of them. The scenes where Snow White consoles him and teaches him to whistle were sweet, and while Dopey’s design might be unsettling, the emotional beats in these moments were effective.
The Mixed Elements
Moving into the mixed aspects of the film, I have to admit that I’ve never found the story of Snow White to be all that interesting. I’m not a fan of the original, so I might not be the best person to speak to its full potential. However, for me, the plot has always felt a bit thin. While the filmmakers tried to modernize some elements and update Snow White’s character, they didn’t fully commit to those changes.
The movie feels like a half-measure, where certain aspects stay very faithful to the original, but others try to push things forward in a way that feels unnecessary. The compromise results in a movie that feels like it’s torn between honoring the classic and trying to make it relevant for 2025.
The Negatives
Now, onto the negatives. The biggest issue I had with the film is how it felt like a last-minute compromise, likely due to all the controversies surrounding it. There were a lot of statements from Rachel Zegler early on about how they were going to update the story for a modern audience, but after watching the film, it feels like much of what she said didn’t make it into the final product.
While the intention was there to update and modernize Snow White’s character, it seems like Disney lost their nerve and tried to tone down some of the changes. The end result is a film that feels unsure of itself—trying to please everyone but failing to commit to a strong direction.
Zegler’s comments about Snow White not needing a prince and being more focused on her own leadership journey were part of the film’s early marketing. However, when you watch the movie, it feels like the film didn’t fully embrace that vision. Instead, it feels like a watered-down version of what was originally promised.
