Snow White

Cast: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot

Director: Marc Webb

Rating: ★★

In Marc Webb's live-action rendition of Snow White, there are moments when the visuals truly come alive. This is particularly evident during the princess's adventures in the forest, enhanced by stunning CGI lighting, as well as during the joyful antics of the seven dwarfs and the charming displays of forest animals that captivate young audiences. Ultimately, the film's most impressive elements stem from its CGI and visual effects. This should raise concerns within Disney, as the magic of their classic animations was rooted in a human touch. It is perplexing how they have created live-action adaptations of heartfelt narratives featuring real actors, yet have managed to strip away any sense of humanity. 

The premise

Snow White presents a contemporary interpretation of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale and offers a 21st-century perspective on the Disney animated classic. Rachel Ziegler portrays the princess confined within a castle by the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). However, this version of Snow White, aspiring to be a feminist icon, is not in search of a gallant knight. Instead, she seeks to join forces with her people to reclaim her kingdom's lost glory. Her ally is not a prince but a bandit named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), along with the lovable dwarfs.

As the original Disney princess, Snow White's tale has been retold numerous times, including a recent darker adaptation featuring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth. There are a few unexpected elements in this narrative. Disney successfully preserves the visual charm of the fairy tale, rendering everything vibrant, colourful, and enchanting. Even in the film's more sombre and occasionally frightening moments, the cinematography and visual effects are exceptional. Nevertheless, the film seems to lack a deeper emotional resonance.

What works

Snow White successfully modernizes certain aspects of the tale, making it feel less outdated. The princess is portrayed as an empowered individual rather than a mere damsel in distress, as she expresses in one of her playful songs with Jonathan. Her love interest is depicted as a noble bandit and freedom fighter, rather than a traditional prince, which somewhat diminishes the class distinctions. Fortunately, the Evil Queen retains her malevolent nature and is not reimagined in a way that complicates her character into a nuanced exploration of evil, as seen with Maleficent.

However, the film also falters in several areas. The narrative remains superficial, failing to evoke any genuine emotional response to the characters' pain, anger, hurt, or love. It feels more like an abstract concept rather than a relatable story, resulting in a lack of investment in Snow White's affection for her kingdom and its inhabitants. This may be attributed to the film's brief runtime, which does not allow for a thorough exploration of the character's motivations and emotions. The story rushes through the initial setup, eager to dive into the forthcoming adventure.

About the performances

Rachel Zegler embodies the vision of Snow White that Disney has crafted for the 21st century, emphasizing that true beauty transcends mere appearance and originates from within. However, her performance in the film reveals a constrained acting range, which fails to evoke any genuine affection or charm from the audience. Her emotional limitations hinder her effectiveness in some of the more intense scenes. In contrast, Gal Gadot shines as the Evil Queen, infusing the character with an unexpected, exaggerated charisma that enhances her menacing intentions. Although her accent and natural charm occasionally threaten to disrupt the character's sinister aura, she skillfully maintains her composure. Nevertheless, like Ziegler, Gadot's limited range poses a challenge to the narrative.

Ultimately, Snow White entertains without truly engaging its audience, which is its most significant shortcoming. It serves as a light, forgettable film that fades from memory almost immediately after leaving the theatre, leaving viewers struggling to recall any standout moments (of which there are few). This film caters to the Instagram and TikTok generation, designed to be quickly consumed and easily forgotten.

Read Also: Snow White Review: Dwarfs' Only Mistake Was Trusting This Lackluster Remake

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