Critics Overwhelm Disney’s ‘Snow White’ With Harsh Reviews as It Faces Lowest Box Office Opening in History
Walt Disney Studios’ latest live-action adaptation, ‘Snow White,’ is getting blasted in the reviews department, and early box office projections indicate it’s headed for a record low opening weekend.
The Downward Spiral of ‘Snow White’
Despite being a much-anticipated retelling of Disney’s iconic 1937 animated classic, the film is set to disappoint at the box office and among film critics alike. According to reports from Deadline, ‘Snow White’ is projected to earn around $43 million this weekend, placing it just below Disney’s 2019 adaptation of ‘Dumbo,’ which garnered a paltry $46 million.
Critics Sound Off: A Mediocre Offering
The film currently holds a "rotten" 44% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, a figure reflecting a consensus that this remake has missed the mark. While audiences have shown more leniency with a 74% audience score, critics seem unrelenting in their disdain.
Rolling Stone’s David Fear delivered a cutting remark, saying the film is "a bedtime story that will definitely put you to sleep." Such sentiments were echoed by The New York Times’ chief critic Manohla Dargis, who described the film as "neither good enough to admire nor bad enough to joyfully skewer; its mediocrity is among its biggest bummers."
The Sentiments of Other Critics
Heartless Production? The Wall Street Journal’s Kyle Smith weighed in, stating, “Gloss prevails over heart in nearly every scene, and plot beats feel contrived.”
A Dismal Experience: The Guardian’s Wendy Ide was especially harsh, awarding the film a mere one star out of five and labeling it "toe-curlingly terrible." She described it as a viewing experience akin to having "bamboo splinters under the fingernails."
- Stiff Performances: The Associated Press remarked on the lackluster performances, noting that while lead actress Rachel Zegler "adds a warm-blooded pulse," other characters seem "as stiff as could be."
Cost Versus Reception: A Troubling Trend
The stakes are particularly high for Disney, as the making of ‘Snow White’ reportedly cost $270 million, making it one of the most expensive films to flop at the box office. Comparatively, ‘Dumbo’ only set the studio back $170 million. Disney’s reputation for live-action remakes might be in jeopardy as they face the implications of what could be a double whammy of critical and financial failure.
Controversies Surrounding Production
The troubled production leading up to ‘Snow White’s’ release included controversial choices regarding its portrayal of the dwarfs, a year-long delay, and negative comments made by Zegler regarding the original film and its traditional themes. As filmmaker Peter Dinklage pointed out, the push for diversity caused a stir, raising more questions than it answered.
As conservative critic Christian Toto notably remarked, the film’s "perfect storm of media mismanagement" has severely hampered its box office potential and hopes.
Wrapping Up: What Lies Ahead for Disney?
As ‘Snow White’ struggles to find its footing amidst harsh criticisms and disappointing box office returns, one can’t help but wonder if this trend signifies a broader issue for Disney. Will audiences continue to embrace remakes of beloved classics, or is it time for creative re-evaluation?
For those curious about further insights into the movie’s release and reviews, you can check out more from sources like Rolling Stone and Fox News.
In closing, the allure of fairy tales may not be enough to save ‘Snow White’ from its grim fate as it solidifies its status as one of Disney’s lowest-performing live-action remakes. Only time will tell if this once-beloved story can reclaim its magic amidst the criticism.
