Snow White: Not As Bad As They Say, But Far From Magical

I honestly didn’t think this was as bad as people said it was when it first came out. It’s far from perfect, but it doesn’t deserve all the harsh criticism either. Yes, the casting choices were definitely strange; some of them didn’t feel like a natural fit for the roles they were given. The new songs were pretty awful, both lyrically and musically. They lacked the charm and timelessness of the original soundtrack and felt more like filler than something that added to the story. And as for Gal Gadot’s performance… the less said, the better. It was awkward and overly theatrical in a way that didn’t land.

That said, I still found myself appreciating certain elements of the film. It somehow managed to recreate a bit of that magical, whimsical tone that made the original so beloved. The visuals were impressive, with lush, vibrant settings and strong costume and production design that helped bring the fairytale world to life.

Rachel Zegler as Snow White was actually a highlight. I was skeptical going in, but she really surprised me with her performance. She brought a genuine sweetness and innocence to the character, making her feel like the heart of the film. She carried her scenes with grace and charm, even when the material around her wasn’t always strong.

The dwarfs were jarring at first, especially for anyone familiar with the classic version, but they grew on me as the story progressed. Within the context of this reimagining, they made sense and ended up being one of the more entertaining parts of the film. Their energy and humor added some much-needed personality.

Unfortunately, things start to fall apart in the second half. The introduction of Jonathan and the “Bandits” felt completely unnecessary. Their presence added nothing of value and seemed like an odd attempt to pad out the runtime or appeal to a younger demographic. From that point on, my engagement with the story steadily declined.

Overall, I’d place this film somewhere in the middle tier of Disney’s live-action remakes. It’s visually appealing and offers a few nice performances, but it’s not something that leaves a lasting impression. A decent watch for a quiet night in, but not one you’ll rush to revisit.