Disney’s latest live-action adaptation, Snow White, attempts to reimagine the 1937 animated classic but ultimately falls short. The film, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, is completely different from the original, missing a lot of the important details that made the original so beloved.
Unlike the 1937 version, which had beautiful animation and iconic songs, the new Snow White leans heavily into modern themes and character changes that didn’t feel very natural. Snow White, once a kind and gentle princess, is reimagined as someone determined and independent who doesn’t need saving. While that is not necessarily a bad change, it takes away a lot of the warmth and charm that made her so lovable in the first place. Zegler’s performance lacks the high pitch sweetness of Adriana Caselotti’s voice acting in the original, making it difficult to connect with her character.
Then there’s the issue of the dwarfs – or rather, the lack of them. Instead of the seven dwarfs, the film introduces a group of diverse “bandits.” This change fails to capture the unique personalities and humor that made the original dwarfs so fun and memorable. Their presence doesn’t seem to do anything for Snow White’s journey.
Visually, the film is really inconsistent. While some landscapes and CGI-enhanced moments are impressive, other scenes looked way too fake. The decision to change the iconic color palette from the animated film made it painfully hard to watch. Most notably Snow White’s vibrant dress, which appears very neon-looking compared to the light, muted colors from the original.
Musically, the film also falls short. Many of the original classic songs have been omitted or reworked beyond recognition. “Someday My Prince Will Come” was omitted and changed to a completely different song called “Waiting on a Wish” which did not fit Snow White and Zegler’s voice at all. The new songs failed to leave a lasting impression because they didn’t capture the magic at all from the original soundtrack.
One of the few highlights is Zegler’s stunning singing performance overall. Zegler sings with both power and softness, making a classic tune turn into a deep emotion. Her rendition not only showcases her impressive vocal range but adds a wide set of different emotions that leaves a heartfelt interpretation that strikes the audience. The raw emotion in her performance adds that extra layer of magic to the film, proving that her talent is one of its most important assets for this movie. Though Zegler’s voice would fit better for a new Disney princess, she still did a beautiful job for what she was given.
Overall, Snow White feels like a remake that didn’t need to happen. While Disney’s live-action remakes often aim to bring nostalgia to a new generation, this movie stripped away the elements that made it so special and replaced it with changes that don’t really add much. Fans of the 1937 film may find themselves disappointed by a movie that loses sight of what made Snow White a classic in the first place.
