Disney’s Snow White is a visually stunning reimagining of the classic 1937 animated film that helped shape the Disney empire. Directed by Marc Webb, the film embraces its fairy tale origins, delivering a spectacle filled with dazzling colors, vibrant scenery, and a magical charm that immerses audiences in its world. More than any of Disney’s previous live-action adaptations, Snow White leans into its animated roots, bringing a breathtakingly vivid aesthetic that truly captures the whimsical beauty of the original while offering a fresh, modern take.
The film thrives in its ability to visually enchant, utilizing an awe-inspiring color palette that makes every scene feel alive with warmth and wonder. The grandeur of the kingdom, the dark yet mesmerizing enchanted forest, and the charmingly detailed dwarfs’ cottage all shine with a painterly, storybook-like quality. The use of both practical and digital effects ensures that this world feels tangible and immersive, making it a feast for the eyes that audiences of all ages will adore.
A Classic Disney Tale with a Familiar Structure
Snow White does not attempt to reinvent the wheel when it comes to its storytelling. Instead, it embraces its roots as a classic Disney fairy tale, delivering a story that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly earnest. While some modern adaptations lean heavily into subverting expectations, Snow White largely sticks to the traditional format, which, in this case, works in its favor.
There’s something undeniably fun about watching a film that wholeheartedly leans into its fairy tale nature, complete with a love interest who sounds exactly like what we now recognize as the quintessential Disney prince. Rather than feeling outdated, this choice plays as an affectionate nod to the film’s legacy, reminding audiences why this story became a defining moment in cinematic history.
Toe Tapping Tunes
One of the more surprising elements of Snow White is its new musical numbers, which feel far stranger and more experimental than what we’ve come to expect from Disney’s recent live-action adaptations. While many of Disney’s remakes have played it safe musically—either rehashing original songs with minor tweaks or introducing serviceable but forgettable new ones—Snow White takes a bolder approach. The melodies are more unpredictable, the lyrics feel a bit quirkier, and the overall compositions have an odd but intriguing quality to them.
That’s not to say every song is a knockout, but there’s an undeniable uniqueness to them that keeps them from feeling like uninspired add-ons. It’s as if the filmmakers leaned into the whimsical strangeness of classic Disney storytelling rather than modern musical conventions, making the soundtrack feel distinct rather than obligatory. Whether audiences embrace these songs or find them too peculiar remains to be seen, but at the very least, they ensure the film’s musical moments stand out in a sea of remakes.
Rachel Zegler Embodies the Disney Princess Archetype
At the heart of Snow White is Rachel Zegler’s radiant performance as the titular character. Zegler effortlessly captures the essence of what made Disney’s first princess so beloved—kindness, warmth, and unwavering optimism. She brings a natural grace to the role, making Snow White feel like a timeless character while also adding subtle layers of depth that allow her to stand out from previous iterations.
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Zegler’s performance is filled with charm and sincerity, making her an instantly likable and engaging lead. Whether she is interacting with the dwarfs, the woodland creatures, or even standing against the Evil Queen, she exudes the kind of purity and strength that has long defined Disney princesses. Her vocals are equally mesmerizing, seamlessly fitting into the film’s original musical numbers and further cementing her as a worthy successor to the animated legend.
A Queen of Her Own Kingdom
Gal Gadot steps into the role of the Evil Queen with a commanding presence that radiates menace and allure. She looks the part perfectly, exuding the regal wickedness that made the original animated villain so iconic. When she’s on-screen, she is impossible to ignore, fully committing to the role with an energy that makes her a delightfully over-the-top antagonist.
However, Gadot’s performance is somewhat uneven, feeling at times like it belongs in an entirely different movie. While she shines in certain moments—especially when she embraces the theatricality of the character—there are times when her delivery feels disconnected from the film’s overall tone. If that is indeed her singing, it is surprisingly impressive, but her portrayal occasionally wavers between captivating and unintentionally distracting.
Too Many Characters
While the core story remains engaging, the addition of a group of bandits introduces an unnecessary layer of complexity. Snow White thrives when it keeps things simple, and the extra subplot makes the narrative slightly more cluttered than it needs to be. While not a dealbreaker, this additional storyline feels somewhat out of place in a film that otherwise flows with a fairytale-like simplicity.
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The film’s pacing also suffers slightly due to this added element, making certain parts feel more drawn out than necessary. Given how beautifully the central tale unfolds, the inclusion of extra characters and plotlines feels like a case of trying to do too much when the core story is already strong enough.
A Fun and Animated Tale
Snow White may not be the most groundbreaking live-action adaptation Disney has ever produced, but it is undeniably enjoyable. Rachel Zegler is captivating as the iconic princess, the visuals are mesmerizingly colorful, and the film maintains the whimsical heart of the original while introducing enough new elements to keep things fresh.
Though the story has a few unnecessary complications, and Gadot’s Evil Queen occasionally feels like she’s acting in a different film, Snow White remains an entertaining and magical experience. It likely won’t convert those skeptical of Disney’s live-action remakes, but for fans of fairy tales and classic Disney magic, it delivers a visually spectacular and heartwarming adventure that younger audiences in particular will adore.
For being a fun and familiar magical experience, my Snow White review gets a
6/10
Snow White debuts exclusively in theaters on March 21, 2025.
About Snow White
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Directed by: Marc Webb
Produced by: Marc Platt, Jared LeBoff
Executive Producer: Callum McDougall
Original Songs by: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Cast: Rachel Zegler, Andrew Burnap, and Gal Gadot
Synopsis
“Disney’s Snow White,” a live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film, opens exclusively
in theaters March 21, 2025. Starring Rachel Zegler (“West Side Story”) in the title role and Gal Gadot
(“Wonder Woman”) as her Stepmother, the Evil Queen, the magical music adventure journeys back
to the timeless story with beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and
Sneezy.
“Disney’s Snow White” is directed by Marc Webb (“The Amazing Spider-Man”) and
produced by Marc Platt (“The Little Mermaid”) and Jared LeBoff (“The Girl on the Train”), with
Callum McDougall (“Mary Poppins Returns”) serving as executive producer, and features all-new
original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“Dear Evan Hansen”).
Are you excited to see Snow White brought to life in live-action? Do you think Rachel Zegler will live up to the legacy of the original? How do you feel about Disney continuing to remake its animated classics? Let us know what you think on social media.
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