SNOW WHITE (2025)

Genre: Fantasy/Musical
Director: Marc Webb
Cast: Rachel Zegler, Andrew Burnap, Gal Gadot
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence)
Released By: Walt Disney
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 20 March 2025

Synopsis: “Disney’s Snow White,” a live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film, opens exclusively in theaters March 21, 2025. Starring Rachel Zegler (“West Side Story”) in the title role and Gal Gadot (“Wonder Woman”) as her Stepmother, the Evil Queen, the magical music adventure journeys back to the timeless story with beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy. “Disney’s Snow White” is directed by Marc Webb (“The Amazing Spiider-Man”) and produced by Marc Platt (“The Little Mermaid”) and Jared LeBoff (“The Girl on the Train”) with Callum McDougall (“Mary Poppins Returns”) serving as executive producer, and features all - new original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“Dear Evan Hansen”). 

Movie Review:

We were heartened to see the audience react with “awws” and “ahhs” when the forest animals first appeared on screen during the preview screening of this live-action reimagining of Walt Disney’s 1937 classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The younger viewers, in particular, were captivated - a testament to how director Marc Webb has touched hearts despite the skepticism surrounding the film before its release.

The internet has not been kind to the movie, particularly to Rachel Zegler, who was cast as Snow White. The Latina actress has been the target of mean-spirited memes and unkind comments, as many associate the character with having skin “as white as snow”. Some netizens even joked that Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen had no reason to be jealous of Snow White’s beauty. Given the online backlash, we expected Zegler to face even harsher criticism once the movie was released.

Most viewers will be familiar with the story, based on the Brothers Grimm’s 1812 fairy tale Snow White. The 106-minute musical fantasy film wastes no time setting the stage with a heartwarming introduction, revealing that Snow White was named after the snowstorm she and her parents survived.

In true musical fashion, we are treated to “Good Things Grow”, a lively number where the people of Snow White’s kingdom sing and dance about the bountiful harvests of their hometown. This opening sequence is a delightful reminder of how a catchy song can set the tone, making you smile and tap your feet along.

We first see Snow White as a child, with Zegler taking over as the princess grows into a young woman. Any initial doubts about her ability to embody the beloved Disney character quickly fade when she appears on screen. The 23-year-old actress brings Snow White’s kindness to life with sincerity, and when she belts out the “I Want” anthem “Waiting On A Wish”, it becomes even clearer that she was the right choice for the role. Her performance exudes an old-school wholesomeness - a welcome respite if you are weary of the cynicism of today’s world.

When Gadot first appears on screen as Snow White’s stepmother, some audience members at the preview screening audibly gasped. The Israeli actress, best known for portraying Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe, is that stunning. When she puts on the Evil Queen’s regal attire, she commands the screen with undeniable charisma. While Gadot’s vocals in “All Is Fair” may not be her strongest suit, she makes up for it with a delightfully over-the-top performance, fully embracing one of Disney’s most iconic villains.

We know that the 1937 animated classic doesn’t quite align with today’s standards. Snow White was largely a helpless girl waiting to be saved by a stranger. Erin Cressida Wilson’s screenplay updates the story by removing contentious elements, offering a more modern take. Instead of a handsome prince who happens upon Snow White to deliver a life-saving kiss, we get a charming bandit (Andrew Burnap) who stands as her equal. He even performs a hilarious duet titled “Princess Problems” with Snow White, adding a playful nod to contemporary perspectives. Not to worry - the lovebirds share the obligatory romantic duet “A Hand Meets A Hand”, surrounded by magical elements.

And that brings us to perhaps the most awkward aspect of this otherwise enjoyable film - the dwarfs. Amidst the controversy surrounding the portrayal of these characters, Disney issued an official statement explaining that “to avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community”.

However, the result still feels awkward, likely due to the photorealistic CGI. Perhaps we’ve become too accustomed to the charming animated versions of these beloved characters, making it difficult to fully embrace their new, lifelike portrayals. But when the infectious “Heigh-Ho” plays and we join the dwarfs on their mining adventure, we can’t help but smile and tap our feet once again.

Movie Rating:

(Set aside the internet's meanness and embrace Rachel Zegler’s Snow White in this wholesome and enjoyable musical, with Gal Gadot’s delightfully hammy Evil Queen, though the awkward portrayal of the dwarfs is a small misstep)

Review by John Li