Alright, so here’s the deal: Disney’s live-action remakes are always a bit of a gamble. They occasionally get it just right (Cinderella and The Jungle Book restored my faith in the magic), and others find themselves being head-scratchers (The Little Mermaid, you look at it). I wasn’t sure how I felt when I went in to see Snow White (2024)—it’s, of course, Disney’s very FIRST animated feature ever. Those are some seriously big shoes to fill, folks. Sadly, this one failed to live up to the promise.
Rating: (2.0/5)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Snow White (2025) |
| Director | Marc Webb |
| Lead Cast | Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot |
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure, Musical |
| Runtime | About 2 hours |
| Production | Walt Disney Pictures |
The Story: A Little Bit of Old, a Lot of Trying Too Hard
You know the old tale—Snow White flees her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen, goes underground with the dwarfs, and confronts her. That’s all still here, but Disney’s attempted to update things by making Snow White a stronger, more assertive heroine. Sounds great, right? Except. it doesn’t feel natural. Rather than excitingly empowering, these changes read like Disney checking a box: “Make her strong. Done.”
And then they included this arbitrary group of bandits. Why, I have no idea. Were they meant to take the place of the dwarfs later on? It really does feel like they’re leftovers from a previous draft, and they contribute nothing to the story at all. If anything, they just confuse things.
The Cast: Some Sparkle, Some Fizzle
Rachel Zegler as Snow White
Rachel’s singing? Wonderful. Her voice is enchanting and does the musical numbers justice. But her interpretation of Snow White felt. uneven. The film is conflicted about whether to present her as a gentle, ethereal princess or a fearless, contemporary heroine, and it’s this to-and-fro that makes her character feel somewhat flat.
Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen
Gal Gadot is clearly having the time of her life as the Evil Queen. She goes full drama mode, embracing the theatrical and wicked energy of the character. At times, though, it borders on campy, which makes her less scary than I’d hoped. But hey, her villain song was a highlight—dark, bold, and fun to watch.
The Seven Dwarfs
Oh boy. the dwarfs. First of all, there was that big controversy over replacing them with non-dwarf characters. After backlash, Disney reinstated them, but their CGI transformation? No thanks. They’re creepy-looking—like they’d fit right into some bizarre video game cutscene. The original dwarfs were so full of personality and charm; these guys are just a distraction.
Visuals: Magic That Sometimes Works and Sometimes Doesn’t
Visually, the film has its highs. The Evil Queen’s magic scenes? Beautiful. But the heavy reliance on CGI cannot be ignored. The forest, which could’ve been rich and vibrant, is artificial and lifeless. And don’t even begin me on the uncanny valley effect of the dwarfs. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes practical effects or old-fashioned animation simply do better.
The Music: Some High Notes, Mostly Misses
Music is typically where Disney excels, and Snow White (2024) at least attempts to carry on that legacy. Rachel Zegler’s singing is stunning, and Gal Gadot’s villain song is memorable for its melodrama and showiness. But that’s about it. The new songs are rather forgettable. None of them lingered in my mind after the credits started rolling.
The Bigger Question: Why Do These Remakes Keep Falling Short?
Here’s the thing: live-action remakes are always a delicate dance. If the original is a work of genius, can the remake possibly compete? Snow White (2024) suffers from this. It attempts to mix nostalgia and a modern revamp, but the effect seems to be torn between two worlds. The revisions don’t enrich the story—just make it different for different’s sake. And that’s not a sufficient justification for a remake to be out there.
The Bandits: Wait, What?
One of the most confusing artistic choices in the film is bringing in a band of bandits. They don’t serve the plot, and their inclusion seems completely unnecessary. If they were supposed to stand in for the dwarfs, why introduce both? And if not, then why are they here at all? It’s just. perplexing.
The Romance: Where’s the Chemistry?
The romance in the original wasn’t the primary emphasis, but it was endearing and fit within its fairy-tale reasoning. Here, the prince has a bit more of a role, but the lack of chemistry between the prince and Snow White is near zero. Their relationship seems hurried and unreal, making the romance feel empty.
Final Thoughts: Skip This One
Look, Snow White (2024) isn’t terrible—it has its moments, like Rachel Zegler’s incredible voice and Gal Gadot’s fun Evil Queen performance. But as a whole, it falls flat. The story feels confusing, the CGI is distracting, and the unnecessary additions just clutter things up. If you’re feeling nostalgic, stick with the animated original—it’s timeless for a reason.
Rating: 2.0/5 – Just watch the classic.
The Pros and Cons
| What Worked | What Didn’t |
|---|---|
| Rachel Zegler’s vocals | Creepy CGI dwarfs |
| Gal Gadot’s campy fun | Pointless bandits |
| A few eye-catching shots | Rushed romanticization |
| Nostalgic references to the original | Too modernized plot |
Recommended: The Electric State Review: Did Netflix Just Waste $300M?
Conclusion
Disney’s Snow White (2024) attempts to update a classic but loses its magic in the process. Although it has some redeeming qualities, its questionable creative decisions make it another forgettable live-action remake.
FAQs
- Is Snow White (2024) a true adaptation of the original?
Not really. It keeps some things but introduces unnecessary changes. - How is Rachel Zegler as Snow White?
Her singing is excellent, but her character’s portrayal is inconsistent. - Are the Seven Dwarfs in the film?
Yes, but their CGI look is creepy. - Should I see this or the original?
See the original.
