Snow White: Far from the fairest of them all
Title: Snow White
Release date: March 20, 2025
Duration: 1 hour 49 minutes
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Rachel Zegler, Andrew Burnap, and Gal Gadot
Genre: Live-action musical adventure
Rating: PG
Score: ✓ ✓ ✓
Beset by controversy, from the lead actress's perceived dismissal of the Disney classic to the casting choices for the Seven Dwarves, this film's pre-release baggage only fuelled my curiosity.
Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, this magical musical adventure revisits the timeless tale, bringing back beloved characters like Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy.
HITS
Production Value:
As expected from Disney, the film boasts high production value with dazzling results.
The visual effects are polished to a gleam - you'll wish your local squirrel was that adorable - and seamlessly enhance the fantastical world.
The set and costume design are also commendable. From the dwarves' attire to Snow White's iconic dress, the transition from animation to live-action, despite a near-century gap, feels remarkably smooth.
For a Disney Princess movie, absolute banger songs are practically a requirement. Waiting on a Wish and A Hand Meets a Hand are my personal favourites and, I predict, future classics.
The rest of the soundtrack is decent enough; just maybe skip Gal Gadot's numbers - her singing is, shall we say, less memorable. I did notice some slight audio muffling during Waiting on a Wish, but it's a minor quibble.
Audience Appeal:
A live-action remake of a classic Disney film is a sure-fire draw for fans, and the light-hearted, musical approach makes this a perfect family outing.
It sticks closely to the original, so don't expect any radical departures.
Acting:
Love her or hate her, Rachel Zegler shines as a kind and warm Snow White, showcasing impressive vocals. Her lip-syncing during the musical numbers is so convincing, I wouldn't be surprised if she was actually singing live on set.
Gal Gadot, however, is a different story. While her Evil Queen is initially compelling, the character devolves into a tantrum-throwing diva by the film's end. Instead of a cruel tyrant, we get a crown-wearing middle-aged woman throwing a fit. And, as mentioned, her singing doesn't quite stack up against Zegler's.
Andrew Burnap's character, Jonathan, replaces Prince Charming with a rather unremarkable, Robin Hood-esque figure. He's largely forgettable, save for his duet with Zegler.
MISSES
Storyline:
The story feels like the original with a few tweaks, a fresh coat of visual effects paint, and not much else.
While I don't mind leaning on source material, the pacing falters after the first half. The Seven Dwarves feel shoehorned in, and once the initial jokes and songs are exhausted, they're plucked from the narrative and re-inserted at convenience without much explanation.
Built-up challenges seem to melt away towards the end, which is frustrating after so much effort is put into establishing them.
Too much time is spent recreating scenes from the animated film, leaving little room for genuine plot or character development. Everything feels rushed or crammed.
Direction:
Director Marc Webb, known for The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and its sequel, seems constrained here, obligated to pay homage rather than explore.
Homage is fine, but it shouldn't come at the expense of the story.
IS IT WORTH A WATCH?
Overall, this feels like a soulless modernisation of the original, so predictable I could often guess the next line of dialogue.
Families and die-hard fans might enjoy it, but others should probably look elsewhere.