"Ultimately, it felt shallow - more like a vanity project than a meaningful adaptation"

The new Snow White film has been surrounded by controversy since its announcement, and I had hoped it would rise above the noise. Unfortunately, there were few redeeming qualities to be found.

This adaptation strays significantly from the classic story – the dialogue and plot have been altered even further from the original Grimm fairy tale, and the few 1923 songs that made it into the film have been unnecessarily reworked into something almost unrecognizable. This film might have been better received as an original story rather than a so-called ‘live-action’ remake.

Rachel Zegler (Snow White) delivered a stronger performance than I anticipated, while her acting and expressions were nothing remarkable, her vocal ability was impressive – she undeniably outshines her co-stars. Unfortunately, Andrew Burnap’s performance paled in comparison. His singing lacked energy, and his flat vocals were only made more apparent whenever he shared a song with Zegler.

Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen was underwhelming, rather than embodying a chilling, menacing villain, her performance leaned too heavily on glamour. I had hoped Disney would embrace the Evil Queen as a true villain – evil for evil’s sake – but instead, Gadot’s character felt more like a disgruntled supermodel. Any hint of menace evaporated the moment she sang; her flat vocals added nothing to the plot. She felt less like a powerful antagonist and more like a mannequin adorned with extravagant costumes and jewelry – something the original Evil Queen never relied upon.

The introduction of Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), a replacement for the original Prince, was equally disappointing. With his bandit-like demeanor and sickly sweet charm, he feels like Robin Hood in everything but name. His character, along with his bandits, felt irrelevant to the plot, seemingly included only to create a more “acceptable” alternative to the original’s controversial kiss. If Disney was willing to make so many changes, they could have instead reverted to the Grimm fairy tale’s resolution – simply dislodging the apple from Snow White’s throat to awaken her.

The seven dwarves are yet another issue; one that’s stirred its own controversy. Disney’s choice to use CGI rather than casting real actors was a misstep; the overly animated designs felt unnatural in the live-action setting, often resulting in awkward facial expressions that failed to align with the voice acting. While the vocal performances were solid, the CGI significantly detracted from the impact.

One of the few standout moments was Snow White’s escape into the forest. The visuals in this scene effectively conveyed a sense of danger, reminiscent of the original’s chilling sequence. However, the overall cinematography felt oversaturated, and there was no notable visual shift when the Evil Queen was present – further weakening her villainous presence.

While I’m open to new songs in remakes, this film overindulged. Not a single classic song was left untouched, and the addition of numerous new pieces only distanced this version further from the Snow White we know and love. The film opens with a song during the fairy tale book sequence – an unnecessary addition seemingly included to justify a large choreographed scene. While this backstory attempted to provide more context for Snow White (including an explanation that her name isn’t related to her skin, as per the Grimm fairy tale), it felt forced. Still, Hadley Fraser (playing Snow White’s father) delivered one of the film’s strongest vocal performances, second only to Zegler. I couldn’t help but wish the other cast members’ voices matched the strength of theirs.

This film left me with far too many questions about plot holes and creative decisions. Ultimately, it felt shallow – more like a vanity project than a meaningful adaptation. Considering the legacy and affection the original Snow White holds, this remake feels unnecessary. Of Disney’s many live-action remakes, this ranks among the least faithful to its source material. For those who hold the original film dear, I wouldn’t recommend spending money on this version.

Disney, please — don’t make a sequel to this.