Snow White Review: Story: In a distant land where magic thrives alongside an enchanted forest, a girl is born. She's named Snow White (Rachel Zegler) not for her fair complexion, but for the season she was born in—thankfully, they didn’t go with Cold Breeze. As she grows up, her parents instill in her the importance of kindness and living in harmony. Tragedy strikes when her mother, the Queen, passes away, and a mysterious woman from another realm seduces the King into marriage, becoming the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). The Evil Queen sends the King off to war, leading to his demise, and seizes power for herself. She tries to erase Snow White from existence, but when her plot to eliminate the young princess fails, Snow White decides to take control of her own fate. Now, with the help of her friends, she must confront the Evil Queen and bring back justice and freedom to their kingdom!

Snow White Evaluation:

Disney is on a mission to transform its beloved animated classics into lackluster live-action films, trying out every possible approach to make it work. If you've been keeping an eye on their recent projects, you'll notice their mood board is packed with insights on ‘What The Internet Thinks.’ Their choices seem to hinge on public opinion, trending issues, and current political themes. But does art really need to be shaped by data? That’s a topic for another time. The real question is, does data-driven content actually resonate? So far, the answer is no. Still, Disney is pushing ahead with a live-action remake of one of its most cherished tales, featuring a star-studded cast including Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler—only to risk repeating past errors. And if you’re a Spider-Man fan, check out this binge list on SonyLIV available with your OTTplay Premium Subscription.

What was once designed to teach values and spark nostalgia is now a failed attempt that accomplishes neither. I realize this is sounding more like a rant than a review, but as a kid who was obsessed with the Seven Dwarves (back when politics and stereotypes were foreign concepts to me) and saw a bit of himself in the Prince, the upcoming Snow White (2025) feels like it has stripped away everything that made the franchise special. Regardless of the original's merits, this adaptation distorts its essence and delivers something that’s neither visually appealing nor in line with the political message it tries to convey.

Let’s skip the part where we talk about how the film promotes fairness and freedom right from the start while opting for heavily CGI-created, exaggerated Dwarves instead of hiring real actors. Shouldn’t the concept of equal opportunities and representation also apply behind the scenes if it’s being highlighted in the movie?

Written by Erin Cressida Wilson (The Girl on the Train) and inspired by the classic tale from Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Snow White is directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man). The script for this live-action remake feels like a young animal just figuring out how to run—zigzagging everywhere without a care for crashing into obstacles, or in Snow White’s case, stirring up controversy. The film was produced under intense public scrutiny, and you can sense that pressure in the screenplay as it awkwardly avoids addressing the Dwarves altogether. The word "fairest" has replaced "beautiful," which seems like a deliberate attempt to clean up the original themes.

When you watch a Disney movie, you expect a sense of nostalgia and comfort. But when the main character seems like a walking embodiment of The Communist Manifesto, it kind of takes away from the original spirit of these characters. There’s nothing wrong with giving them a new voice or perspective—please do, because times have evolved. The outdated stereotypes that were once accepted shouldn’t be celebrated today. But if you’re going to take a bold stance, then go all in for the whole film.

In the case of Snow White, it feels like two separate movies that were filmed independently and then pieced together. The Prince has transformed from a royal figure into a bandit with dreams of being like Robin Hood. However, after a powerful introduction, his only significant action is kissing a comatose Snow White. That’s all he does. He should play a more active role in the climax instead of just being there for a convenient moment.

The same goes for the Dwarves, who should be demanding better treatment from Disney. If they consulted sensitivity experts and the Dwarfism committee to ensure accurate representation, yet this is the best outcome, then there’s a serious flaw in the process. Instead of finding a meaningful way to incorporate the Seven Dwarves, the film sidelines them, making them mere spectators who only rescue Snow White once in the woods. If they don’t have a real purpose, why include them at all? The film also introduces a mine filled with diamonds and gems, but it has no connection to the story. It’s clear they had an idea but dropped it to avoid another online backlash.

Rachel Zegler is dedicated to her role and brings a certain charm, especially during the musical numbers. Gal Gadot portrays a dramatic Evil Queen, but she doesn’t bring anything new to the classic villain role we’ve seen countless times. The CGI is impressive in some scenes but feels out of place in others. The music is upbeat and fits well within the film.

Snow White's Final Decision:

I really wish someone had shouted "PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH" while they were filming Snow White—a movie that aims for a lot but ultimately falls flat. The original animated classic, despite its flaws, was a visual masterpiece and full of artistic depth. In contrast, the 2025 remake, which feels bogged down by a sprinkle of insincere wokeness (a term I’m not fond of), ends up being quite a chaotic experience.

Snow White is set to premiere in theaters on March 21, 2025. Keep an eye on OTTplay for more reviews and all the latest updates from the streaming and film industry.

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