Movie Review: Snow White Wastes Great Ideas and an Outstanding Performance by Zegler
Director: Marc Webb
Writer: Erin Cressida Wilson
Cast: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap
Synopsis: A daring princess teams up with seven dwarfs to release her kingdom from the clutches of her malevolent stepmother, the Evil Queen.
When it comes to Disney’s live-action remakes, Snow White emerges as a prime example of missed potential, despite its intriguing premise and the stellar performance from its leading actress, Rachel Zegler. While the ever-expanding Disney catalog has produced remarkable adaptations like Cinderella (2015), it’s hard to overlook the uninspired execution that plagues this version of the beloved fairy tale.
A Story Reimagined
Snow White presents a more active protagonist than her animated counterpart, who largely indulged in a lull of snacks and slumber. This iteration of Snow White, portrayed by the immensely talented Zegler, is raised with ideals of community stewardship. However, tragedy quickly strikes as her mother passes away, ushering in the reign of the Evil Queen (played by Gal Gadot).
The narrative unfolds with Snow White finding herself trapped in servitude, all while her father’s absence looms ominously over her realm. In an attempt to escape her grim reality, she teams up with a charming thief, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), and a band of dwarfs. It’s a strange concoction of familiar elements borrowed from Disney’s extensive history; think of it as a greatest hits album that somehow fails to hit the right notes.
A Dazzling Performance Amidst Mediocrity
Amidst the mountainous flaws of Snow White, Rachel Zegler shines brightly. There’s no questioning her singing prowess — demonstrated exquisitely in West Side Story (2023) — as she ingeniously elevates even the lackluster new musical numbers by Pasek and Paul. Her vocal talents bring a refreshing energy to both the newer compositions and the classic melodies fans know and love.
Gal Gadot’s Missed Opportunity
Conversely, Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen is far from enchanting. Despite the buzz surrounding her casting, her line delivery leaves much to be desired. One particularly painful sequence involves her performing an extended musical number that attempts to delve into the character’s psyche, resulting in an awkward blend of gimmicky choreography and vocal misfires. It fails spectacularly to evoke the dark charisma associated with iconic villains.
Humor Gone Awry
One of Snow White’s most glaring follies is its inability to elicit genuine laughter or enjoyment. Watching the dwarfs — with their jarring CGI appearances — can be a disconcerting experience. The humor attempts to capitalize on their dynamics, but more often than not, it fizzles out, bordering on cringe-worthy. The fleeting political commentary about resource-sharing serves more as an awkward nod than a significant narrative thread.
Final Takeaway
As audiences yearn for remakes that challenge the status quo, Snow White ultimately feels stale and muddled. It desires a unique vision yet struggles to escape its myriad pitfalls: unimaginative direction, subpar writing, and baffingly poor character design. Even as children might find some fleeting enjoyment, this live-action version is unlikely to earn a permanent spot in family movie nights.
Grade: C-
Whether you’re a die-hard Disney fan or a casual viewer, this rendition of Snow White underscores a crucial lesson: The magic of storytelling lies not just in its retelling, but in the passion behind it. For a deeper dive into the latest cinematic trends and reviews, explore more at Den of Geek or InSession Film.
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