Rachel Zegler stars as Snow White in Disney’s latest live-action remake. In an era where remakes often receive criticism for lacking originality, Disney’s remakes of its own classics are frequently targeted for recycling past successes. The trend of Disney reimagining its beloved stories continues with the upcoming release of Marc Webb’s “Snow White,” a live-action adaptation of the timeless 1937 animated feature “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Zegler portrays a modern Snow White who prioritizes creating a better world for all rather than solely seeking a prince charming.
The film stays true to the familiar tale of Snow White, an orphaned princess enslaved by her wicked stepmother, portrayed with icy allure by Gal Gadot. Webb, known for directing films like “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “500 Days of Summer,” skillfully weaves a narrative that delves into the kingdom’s backstory, emphasizing themes of equality and resilience among its people. As Snow White navigates the challenges imposed by her stepmother, Zegler portrays her as a determined young woman yearning for a sense of belonging.
Driven by envy of Snow White’s beauty, the evil queen plots her demise. However, the soldier tasked with carrying out her orders finds himself unable to harm the princess, leading Snow White to escape into the ominous forest. Amidst the haunting atmosphere of the woods, she finds refuge with a group of industrious dwarves, setting the stage for a new chapter in her journey.
Despite initial skepticism surrounding Disney’s ongoing trend of remakes, “Snow White” emerges as a captivating reinterpretation that pays homage to its iconic predecessor while infusing the story with fresh perspectives. Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White’s resilience and determination adds depth to the character, offering audiences a compelling narrative that resonates with themes of courage and self-discovery.
In a landscape inundated with reimagined classics, “Snow White” stands out as a delightful addition to Disney’s legacy of storytelling, showcasing the enduring appeal of one of the most beloved fairy tales of all time.
In Disney’s Snow White remake, the computer-animated dwarves stand out as a misstep compared to real actors. While the characters possess appealing traits like Grumpy’s crabby demeanor and Doc’s intelligence, their nearly lifelike appearance falls into an unsettling uncanny valley. However, reimagining the classic story offers opportunities to address past criticisms. In the original Brothers Grimm tale, Snow White wins the dwarves’ affection by cleaning their home, acting as a free housekeeper. The animated version takes a different approach, portraying the forest animals assisting Snow White due to her gentle nature. In this adaptation, Snow White assigns tasks to the dwarves, transforming them into a workforce under her guidance as she focuses on reclaiming her kingdom in the year 2025.
Remakes like Snow White provide a chance to celebrate the essence of beloved classics without dishonoring their predecessors. For instance, the live-action rendition of “Be Our Guest” in Condon’s Beauty and the Beast captures the zany audaciousness of the original animated sequence, showcasing a vibrant spectacle that embraces the artistry of animation. These remakes stand out in a landscape where many big-budget films feel rushed and lack attention to detail. The Disney remakes, including Snow White, excel in their commitment to lavish production values and intricate design elements.
The opening of Snow White mirrors a storybook prologue, complete with enchanting illustrations and computer-generated animals that outshine the dwarf characters. Through the meticulous costume designs by Sandy Powell, known for her work on Cinderella and Mary Poppins Returns, the film captures the essence of characters like the evil queen with intricate details. Powell’s mastery in costume design adds depth to the characters, enhancing the visual storytelling and showcasing the dedication and care put into the film’s production.
The queen flaunts a dazzling assortment of extravagant jewels, indicating her opulent taste. One of her necklaces, adorned with roughly cut gemstones, evokes the extravagant essence of 1970s Yves Saint Laurent. I would wear it without hesitation. But does that make me wicked as well?
Jonathan (Andrew Burnap) and Snow White (Rachel Zegler) Courtesy of Disney
Disney films are often praised for their wholesome messages, although these are typically the least captivating aspect of the stories. The parade of modern empowered princesses from Disney has now become a cliché. The issue with constantly and forcefully reminding young girls that they can achieve anything is that some may never doubt their own abilities until an adult steps in to push them beyond their comfort zones. Refreshingly, this new iteration of Snow White takes a step back from the empowered-princess trope. Notably, Zegler’s love interest is not a prince but a common bandit fighting for justice (played by Andrew Burnap).
Initially hesitant towards her “prince,” Snow White is won over by his humorous song poking fun at her “princess problems.” She, like any human, finds joy in companionship. However, her primary focus is on civic matters. Amidst the ruins of her deceased parents’ kingdom, she envisions a brighter future, cautioning against becoming accustomed to the wicked queen’s oppressive rule. “Don’t forget how things once were,” she urges, “when kindness and fairness prevailed.” Disney movies are typically apolitical, steering clear of controversy to the point of being bland. Yet, this version of Snow White emerges during a time of government-endorsed cruelty, subtly conveying a poignant message. It seems to be the right interpretation of Snow White for our current era, reminiscent of the animated classic released during a seemingly endless depression.
Just like its predecessor, this rendition of Snow White seeks a happy resolution, or at least the reassurance that even the darkest forests have an end. In a world fraught with challenges, this story whispers a timely message. Contact us at letters@time.com.
