Snow White—the fairest of them all—a tale as old as time. Originating from the 19th-century collection of fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, this classic story has been reimagined countless times. Now, Disney breathes new life into it with a fresh live-action adaptation. Directed by Marc Webb and written by Erin Cressida Wilson, Disney’s Snow White follows the kind-hearted princess (Rachel Zegler) as she joins forces with seven dwarfs and a bandit named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap) to reclaim her kingdom from the clutches of her wicked stepmother (Gal Gadot). While this iteration may not align with the traditional Snow White many have cherished, Zegler’s undeniable charm makes it a little easier to embrace this new vision.
Born on a cold, snowy night, Snow White is the kingdom’s most precious gift, her name a tribute to the wintry evening of her birth. As a princess, she is raised by loving parents, the King and Queen, who instill in her the values of kindness and humility, preparing her for the day she will rule with grace and compassion. The wishing well becomes a symbol of their shared belief in possibility, reminding Snow White that dreams can come true if one only dares to wish upon a star.
However, tragedy soon strikes. The Queen falls ill and passes away, leaving Snow White and her father to navigate their grief. In haste, the King remarries before setting off on a mission to protect the kingdom from impending dangers. But when he fails to return, the new Queen seizes the throne, revealing her true nature as a ruthless enchantress whose vanity eclipses even her beauty. Under her reign, the kingdom falls into despair, its people left impoverished or forced into service as royal guards, while Snow White is reduced to a mere scullery maid, confined within the palace walls. Obsessed with preserving her beauty, the Evil Queen turns to her enchanted Mirror, asking the same question each day: “Who is the fairest of them all?” For years, the Mirror’s answer pleases her until the day Snow White’s beauty begins to rival her own.
Disney, as we know, thrives on familiar and time-honored tropes: kindness always prevails, bravery triumphs over fear, everyone deserves a second chance, and good will always stand against evil. Snow White embodies all these virtues. She is kind, courageous, merciful, and radiates beauty both inside and out, qualities that make her the ideal princess and future ruler. Over the course of its nearly two-hour runtime, Snow White follows her journey to restore the kingdom to its former glory. Alongside the rebels and dwarfs, she draws strength from the memory of her parents, fighting in their honor with unwavering bravery. Their courage becomes a beacon for others, inspiring them to stand against oppression.
My expectations for Rachel Zegler were sky-high, and she did not disappoint. Ever since her breathtaking film debut as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, she has continued to prove herself as a remarkable talent. Though still relatively new to Hollywood, with this being only her seventh film, her trajectory is nothing short of impressive. When Disney announced in June 2021 that she would portray Snow White, Zegler found herself at the center of relentless scrutiny. From criticism over her being a woman of color playing a character described as having “skin as white as snow” to backlash over her candid thoughts on the original story’s outdated themes, every aspect of her personal and professional life seemed to spark controversy. She was quickly labeled as “unlikeable” and a supposed disgrace to Hollywood—a narrative eerily reminiscent of the discourse surrounding Halle Bailey’s casting in The Little Mermaid (2023). Much of this vitriol is undoubtedly rooted in racism, ageism, and misogyny. And yet, through it all, Zegler has handled herself with poise and grace, embodying the very essence of a Disney princess. Her performance in Snow White is the film’s saving grace, a powerful rebuttal to those who doubted her from the start.
Rachel Zegler’s vocals are as sweet as candied apples and as smooth as silk. With a background in musical theatre, she brings a refined and technically trained voice that fits perfectly in this modern-day Snow White. The film’s soundtrack features lyrics and music from the EGOT-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with contributions from lyricist Jack Feldman and singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine. While the creative team removed “I’m Wishing/One Song” and “With a Smile and a Song,” they kept “Whistle While You Work,” “Heigh-Ho,” and “The Silly Song.” “Someday My Prince Will Come” makes a brief appearance but only as an instrumental underscore. The film also introduces seven new songs, excluding reprises, which showcase the film’s strongest musical moments. With its fantastic vocals, thoughtful lyricism, and rich musical composition, the Snow White soundtrack is something I’ll have on repeat.
Choreographed by the highly acclaimed Mandy Moore (La La Land), the film had the opportunity to fully embrace the magic of musical storytelling. As a lover of musicals and a performer myself, I will always have a bias toward the genre. However, despite Snow White being a musical, I was underwhelmed by the choreography, or rather, the lack thereof. I expected more standout movement sequences to complement the film’s grand musical numbers, but nothing left a lasting impression.
On the other hand, Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen is a casting choice that leaves much to be desired. It raises the question: What did Disney see in her that audiences perhaps could not? While Gadot certainly possesses the striking beauty that defines the character, her performance feels uneven, almost as if she is overcompensating to fill the role. Her delivery lacks the commanding presence expected of such an iconic villain, and her vocal performance, unfortunately, falters in key moments, making her portrayal feel less menacing and more underwhelming.
When we think of Disney princesses, we instantly associate them with their iconic gowns, and unfortunately, Snow White fell short in the costume department. Snow White’s classic ensemble—a blue bodice, red-and-blue puffed sleeves, a yellow skirt, a high white collar, and her signature red bow—has remained an unmistakable symbol of Disney royalty. Meanwhile, the Evil Queen’s sinister elegance is defined by her long, black cloak, high collar, and golden crown. Yet, neither costume design in this adaptation met the mark. Snow White’s dress felt too flat, lacking the regal poise that defines the character, while the Evil Queen’s look failed to exude the level of intimidation one would expect. Additionally, the CGI dwarfs were visually unsettling, straying too deep into the uncanny valley, making it difficult to stay engaged with their presence on screen. In general, the film leaned too heavily on CGI, and I found myself wishing for more practical set designs to bring the world to life.
Regarding the so-called “woke” agenda, I didn’t mind the modernization of the story for the sake of relevancy. My issue lies more with the execution, particularly in the sequencing of events and the pacing of the narrative. Disney princess films typically follow a familiar formula: a young, often orphaned, heroine who, through her kindness and resilience, overcomes adversity and finds her happily ever after, usually with a prince. In this version of Snow White, the traditional prince is absent, replaced by a new character, Jonathan, a rebel and love interest inspired in part by the original prince. He is meant to be Snow White’s equal, a man she falls in love with rather than a savior. However, their romance lacks chemistry, feeling more like a forced subplot than an organic love story. If Disney was going to take a progressive approach, I wish they had fully committed instead of inserting a placeholder male character just to check a box.
Overall, Rachel Zegler exudes regal poise, effortlessly capturing the softness and grace of Snow White. Her performance and vocals are the film’s greatest strengths, elevating it with charm and elegance. However, the film’s numerous shortcomings leave it feeling like a hollow imitation of what it could have been. While I might not revisit Snow White in its entirety, the soundtrack is destined for endless plays.
