A Review of Disney's 'Snow White' Live-Action Remake with Rachel Zegler

Snow White has never been a favorite of mine, but coincidentally has always been a princess that I’ve been compared to. Whether it for my short brunette hair, my love for nature and animals, or perhaps (even) my childlike spirit. 

I never connected with the story of Snow White because we have different backgrounds. She was known for her fair skin and delicate nature, which were two things I was not. Being mixed has always been hard, because I never felt like I fit in anywhere. 

So when Rachel Zegler was announced to portray this iconic role in Disney’s live action remake, I was ecstatic! Zegler would not only be the first Latina cast as a Disney princess, but she was also mixed like me. Someone I have seen myself in before when she portrayed Maria in Steven Speilberg’s West Side Story.

Photo by: Niko Tavernise / 20th Century Studios

I don’t need to tell you about the uproar of people against her when she was first cast. I think there are plenty of articles around the internet about that. I am here to give you my review, not only as a Disney lover, or as a mixed Puerto rican girl, but as someone who was never into Snow White to begin with.

I was excited to see Zegler portray this role and I wanted to support her work as our first Disney princess of Latin-descent, so I promptly saw the film opening day with my AMC A-List ticket in hand. And I’ll give you my thoughts with all of the spoilers:

Key points:

1. Zegler was made to play Snow White.

   

   Rachel Zegler in 'Snow White'. Credit: Disney

Contrary to what people were expecting based off of the interviews pre film release, she portrayed this princess very well. In my opinion, she was spot on. Kind, optimistic, young and perhaps naive sometimes, and with a beautiful voice, which was no surprise given her performance in West Side Story. This reimagined version gave Snow so much more courage and I enjoyed her back story as well as the necklace as a visual representation of her parents love, which she took with her from past to present. (Everyone is going to want one of those heart shaped necklaces now!)

2. This movie was a MUSICAL and given that, musicals aren’t for everyone.

   

   The cast of 1997's Cinderella. Credit: Walt Disney Company / Everett Collection

This movie was giving CAMP. It was over the top and almost cringey at points, but I feel like this was on purpose— It reminded me of broadway. It honestly reminded me of Brandy’s Cinderella. Over the top, everyone was involved, which I wasn’t expecting. This felt different from other live action remakes. The whole town was singing, you recognized people who were not main characters.

3. The controversy with Gal Gadot.

   

   Gal Gadot in 'Snow White'. Credit: Disney

There's been a lot of controversy about Gal Gadot’s role in the movie. People have been critical of her work for years, including some of her more iconic roles like Wonder Woman. Critics have talked about how she’s not a great actress, yet is awarded with these big blockbuster roles where people are consistently disappointed in her performance. She is also of Israeli descent and is Pro-Israel, so that’s been part of the controversy with everything that has gone on in Gaza over the last year and a half. Personally, I don’t think she did great in this movie either. In simple terms, you just didn’t believe her. Her acting was too obvious, quite literally unbelievable, and you didn’t feel anything from the words she spoke. I would say, comparatively something like Maleficent for example, was way more believable as a character. You could feel bad for her. Even for Ursula in the recent Little Mermaid live-action remake; she had a back story and you could believe where her revenge arch was coming from. This queen however, did not have that, along with a performance that frankly wasn’t believable for audiences.

4. Let's talk about Prince Jonathan

   

   Andrew Burnap in 'Snow White'. Credit: DIsney

Originally Prince Florian in the 1937 classic, now Prince 'Jonathan' for modern times-- was amazing! I love what they added to his character. He wasn’t actually a prince. He was genuinely someone you could fall for, reminding me of Prince Eric in the recent Little Mermaid live remake. It’s a great change for these 'princes' to actually be activists and people who passions behind their courageous and ambitious spirits. His acting was truly believable and he had me falling for him too.

Something eerie about this remake was it felt like it came out at the perfect time, with everything we are going through under the new Administration in the United States. The movie flowed synonymously with the times. It portrayed a dystopian nation who was dealing with a greedy ruler and at least for me, it gave me that hope that as a community we probably do want the best for the greater good. This movie taught you that the ruler wants us to scramble and fight and be distracted with each other rather than help us prosper and that if we can work together, we can take our kingdom back for the betterment of everyone. I think this will be an inspiring film for the next generation.

It’s not a movie that is about being saved, it’s about having courage in the face of adversity and at a time where most people have lost hope. It inspires to continue fighting for what’s right, no matter the cost. In this movie, you saw great examples of people risking their lives for the hope of a better future.

5. Now let’s talk about the CGI dwarves

   

   The seven dwarfs in 'Snow White'. Credit: Disney

Apparently the reason because the CGI dwarves version live action actors was to make sure they were not portraying little people in a negative light. I think that’s understandable. In the beginning, when you first meet the dwarves, it gives AI, it gives uncanny valley, but you eventually forget about their looks and are able to follow the characters in the story. It didn’t distract from the entire movie, like I think a lot of people are anticipating.

I think they did a great job at focusing on Grumpy and Dopey like they do in the original animated film. People will fall in love with Dopey all over again. I like that they eventually give him the courage to speak in this film. I think it brings great awareness to those who are non-verbal and it might even inspire some of those people. I think they wait for the perfect moment for him to finally speak from his heart and it is in the climax of the film, where he gives motivation to his peers during a difficult time in the film and pushes them to keep going. It’s a great example again for young children to learn something like that when they’re young. It made me think of kids on a playground watching someone get bullied and finally standing up to that bully.

Further Remarks: (bullet points)

-Random thing: I don’t think the gems were believable. I think especially for the millennials and gen z who are going to see this film, like myself, would’ve loved to see them use real crystals and they don’t. You can tell the gems they’re using are fake or plastic and that would’ve added again more believability to the story. Something I think would’ve been portrayed differently in a film like Maleficent where we remember how real and luxurious and beautiful all of that looked. These “uncut gems” if you will, do not aid Gadot’s role as it is.

-I also heard people complaining about the costumes. I think the costumes were great, again giving a campy vibe, like Brandy’s Cinderella, super colorful. I really liked the remake of Snow White’s dress. She didn’t wear a bow, but had a cloak almost reminiscent of Red Riding Hood. And then it gets ripped off in her falling scene which reminded me of Alice in Wonderland.

-Loved the architecture and detail that went into the cottage of the seven dwarves. It was beautiful, eclectic, timeless, and seemed comparable to things you can find in vintage shops. It perfectly portrayed the Germanic woodwork, as I collect some of those items in my own home.

All in all, I think it was a good movie, especially for the right person. Someone into broadway, musicals,  campy dramatics. The only thing that brings the rating down for me was Gal Gadot’s performance. I do not agree with Entertainment Weekly’s quote saying that it was Disneys BEST live action remake, however for Latinas and for Disney lovers I think you will all still enjoy this movie and the new takes on this classic film. I think more people will feel included in this story and it definitely gives a stronger and more inspirational message than the original.