The first time I heard about Disney’s latest live action attempt at modernizing one of its classics — this time’s victim being “Snow White” — I was a little worried.
It was mid 2021, and everyone seemed to be fixated on every little thing Rachel Zegler said or did that could be considered wrong. Most of all, the world seemed fixated on the color of her skin, just like the fate of Halle Bailey when she starred as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.”
I had grown accustomed to this kind of slander, so I tried to scroll past all I saw on social media. But, the controversies kept coming: changes to the story, CGI dwarves and the belting that comes with some of the songs.
The movie was, logically, poised to fail.
But released March 21, “Snow White” makes up for its struggling special effects and run-ins with controversy with heart, catchy tunes and a modern edge.
The CGI is the most obvious issue with the film — one that almost turned me away from the trailer. Not only do the dwarves not look real in any capacity, but they are downright creepy. Even though I knew what was coming, I was startled the first time I saw them in the movie. As time went on, I adjusted to the CGI, but for a $200 million budget, the movie should have had no problem doing better.
Playing the titled character, Zegler makes up for all that and more. She possesses the poise and beauty that comes with the original fairy tale and captures the essence of a Disney princess. Gal Gadot is a wicked delight as the evil queen, and Andrew Burnap brings “Charming” to a new level as the new-and-improved Prince Charming, Jonathon.
The movie is closer to an adaptation than a line-to-line remake, but it brings modern life to an old tale. “Snow White” focuses on kindness and courage, where the princess still gets saved by her prince and the pair save the kingdom together.
What the film excels at above all else is its catchy tunes. From its opening number, “Where Good Things Grow,” to the profound “Waiting on a Wish,” “Snow White” is full of captivating music that will be on repeat for the weeks to come.
Though it was set up to fail by social media, “Snow White” is Disney’s best adaptation in the past decade. If Disney continues in this direction, there just might be hope for the live action remakes to come.
