Snow White

★⯪☆☆

Snow White (2025)

Runtime: 109 minutes

MPAA: Rated PG for violence, some peril, thematic elements and brief rude humor.

A small peek into my thinking process: I normally know how to structure and write reviews of movies which I clearly liked or disliked, and always find myself struggling to compile my thoughts together for those that are a mixed bag. At the end of the first paragraph in my earlier review of James Gunn's Superman, I noted, "looking at what I've typed...it's such a huge mess that I don't even know if I can coherently compile this. The same can also be said about what I feel right now: I don't even know what to say. So here goes trying to synthesise all of my thoughts." Marc Webb's Snow White, a modern-day imagining of the classic fairy tale, exceeds this confusion threshold.

Yet, this shouldn't be the case, given the star rating assigned at the top of this review. Hence a rare exception.

So, what to make of this Snow White, which had an incredibly troubled production, public outcry, boycotts, casting and geopolitical controversies, and significant changes to its source material? Some of these issues are glaringly apparent in the final product. And there are indeed many off-putting stylistic choices in this overstuffed venture, one that doesn't capture the magic of the 1937 adaptation. The performances overall are also weak, despite good songs and (mostly) satisfactory visual effects. But buried beneath all the controversies and agendas, there is one good point about how people can be united together with hope. You'll have to deal with a bizarre ending at the same time, though.

Let's address the elephant in the room: Rachel Zegler was cast as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The traditional description of Snow White is someone who has skin "as white as snow". In an attempt to embrace diversity, Zegler, of Polish and Colombian descent, does not match the physical description tied to her character. That isn't inherently a problem, as the word "fair" also has a second meaning, which is to be just, reasonable and equitable. Perplexingly, the magic mirror on the wall calls the Evil Queen the fairest of them all, until one day, it changes answers to Snow White, which the Queen becomes enraged. However, it should be obvious by now that the Queen is anything but fair, hogging all resources to herself within the walls of the castle. Consequently, by failing to accurately interpret the dual meaning of the word "fair", attributed to the colour-blind casting and established character of the Queen, the film's central argument is invalidated.

Despite this major logical flaw, Zegler gives it her all in the film's numerous musical sequences, in which she is undeniably talented. Sadly, she's a little more limited in range when she isn't singing. The same cannot be said for Gadot, who fares decently in her individual songs but suffers dramatically, unable to emote convincing expressions or utter anything else than a monotonous tone or a weak yell. Ice Cube has got some competition in this lane. Fortunately, the rest of the characters are somewhat competent in terms of performance and singing, making the sequences more tolerable, even if one feels like some of the songs are unnecessary and pad the runtime.

What isn't tolerable, however, is the decision to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) to depict the seven dwarfs, an odd and unpleasant decision that gives a rubbery-like aesthetic to them, rendering all emotions inert. Going a layer deeper reveals larger problems. The dwarfs in the original movie took Snow White in, and learned how to love and protect someone different from them. They had meaningful arcs and were catalysts to the narrative. Here, they're reduced to soulless-looking creatures who deliver comedic lines, in need of Snow White to unite them amidst their internal chaos. An additional subplot involving rebels are also weaved into the scene, which attempts to address the division of people as a result of the Queen’s manipulation, but the underdevelopment of these elements dilute its intended impact.

Numerous other deviations ensue. Prince Florian has been replaced by a thief named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), and an undercurrent of romance naturally develops between him and Snow White, through numerous musical sequences and eventually when Snow White eats the poisoned apple. The climax has also been rewritten from the cliff chase to her challenging the status quo, reminding the guards and people of the former good and kindness that once thrived in the kingdom, convincing them to rebel against the Queen. In a fit of rage, she runs back to the magic mirror, breaking it, causing her to disintegrate into it. With the numerous characters and dwarfs joining together, and all weapons raised, the setup implies a high-stakes confrontation, which makes the payoff confoundingly anticlimactic. But the points about hope and courage are thoughtful, something one wished had greater thematic depth and smoother narrative synthesis.

The shakiness in its foundation, however, is independent of another well-intentioned but ultimately problematic aspiration. Rather than being merely a damsel in distress, Snow White takes a different approach, constantly emphasising its character's agency. She is undoubtedly strong, independent and powerful. Again, there's nothing wrong with that. But given the developing romance between her and Jonathan, it completely abandons this element, making an essential mistake. Just because someone is proud of being strong and independent, it doesn't necessarily rob them of the desire or need to have a partner. You can function just as well with a significant other.

Was there a good reason to remake this? In this modern day of age, people and subject matters have become more political, sensitive and complex. Snow White intends to update the original story with newer and relevant themes of inclusivity, leadership, agency and community. However, in desperately wanting to convey these messages across the board, disregarding story, consistency and quality, its thesis is fundamentally broken.