Disney’s latest attempt at live-action magic, Snow White, stumbles out of the gate, burdened by controversy and a lackluster vision that fails to capture the magic of the original. From the casting choices to the CGI dwarfs, this production has drawn fire from every angle, and unfortunately, it has nothing substantial to offer in return.
The film’s most immediate issue is the controversy surrounding its casting. Latina actress Rachel Zegler takes on the title role, a move that sparked a debate about “color-blind casting.” While Zegler has proven herself capable in previous projects, such as Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, here she’s overshadowed by the bigger mess unfolding on-screen.
Disney hoped to deflect attention from the casting with a fresh take on the film, but the execution only exacerbates the issue, particularly with the CGI dwarfs. Instead of hiring real-life dwarf actors, Disney opted for animated characters, claiming it was to avoid promoting “stereotypes”—a decision that ultimately denies opportunities to a marginalized group while introducing a new set of problems.
Beyond the casting concerns, Snow White struggles with its muddled attempt to fix perceived issues with the 1937 classic. For example, Snow White’s love interest is no longer the traditional Prince Charming, but a commoner named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who’s bland at best and fails to bring the romance to life.
The film also contorts the original story by replacing beloved characters and scenes with politically correct alternatives, such as Snow White’s birth, which is now tied to a snowstorm rather than the fairness of her skin. While these changes are likely intended to make the film more modern, they feel forced and out of place.
The film’s narrative follows the basic trajectory of the original, with Snow White’s father remarrying a wicked queen after the death of her mother. However, these familiar beats are hollowed out by awkward dialogue and shallow character development. Zegler’s Snow White, for all her talent, struggles to deliver a truly captivating performance, bogged down by forgettable new songs and a lack of chemistry with her love interest.
The biggest flaw in this version, however, is its failure to honor the original’s whimsical charm. The film’s attempt to bring a more “empowered” Snow White to the screen falls flat, making her seem less like a fairytale princess and more like an awkward, self-righteous figure. Gadot’s Wicked Queen, while glamorous, adds a distracting sexual allure that clashes with the character’s supposed evil nature.
The film’s inclusion of medieval references and an overreliance on modern liberal tropes feels like a forced attempt to add depth. Jonathan, Snow White’s love interest, is portrayed as a Robin Hood-esque rebel, while Snow White herself leads a peasant revolt that, rather than feeling triumphant, comes across as misguided.
Snow White is not an unmitigated disaster, but it’s certainly far from the enchanting spectacle it could have been. Disney’s well-meaning efforts to appease every group have left us with a product that fails to satisfy anyone. If Disney wanted to reimagine a classic, they should have stuck to the magic. Instead, we’re left with a remake that feels less like a tribute and more like a missed opportunity.
The film opens across the UK tomorrow.