Snow White: Disney reimagines an animated classic but was it worth it?

Snow White takes a classic story and reimagines it in a live-action setting. Directed by Marc Webb, this musical fantasy was released on March 21, 2025, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures after a premiere at the Alcázar of Segovia. Jared LeBoff and Marc Platt have produced the film under the banners of Walt Disney Pictures and Marc Platt Productions respectively.

Here's what its official synopsis reads,

A princess joins forces with seven dwarfs to liberate her kingdom from her cruel stepmother, the Evil Queen.

Since its release, reviews of the film have mostly been mixed. So let's explore if this modern-day adaption works for the viewers and lives up to the hype or not.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this film review are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the website, any production company, distributor, or individuals associated with this film.

What is the plot of Snow White?

Snow White (2025) is the reimagining of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, an animated film released in 1937. It was loosely based on an 1812 German fairy tale written down by the Grimm Brothers.

Unlike its source material, the film is in a live-action format. It revolves around the titular girl, a princess, who escapes the Evil Queen, her abusive stepmother. She then takes refuge with seven dwarves inside the forest. However, this makes the Evil Queen even more relentless in her pursuit of Snow White.

The story ends with the princess being brought back to life with a kiss from true love after her tryst with a poison-laced apple. Later, she returns to her kingdom and rallies her people against the evil queen. After the latter's demise, she takes charge of her kingdom. This ending is a departure from the original animated film which ends with the true love's kiss and resurrection of Snow White.

Does Snow White live up to our expectations?

A still from Snow White | Image via Disney YouTube

The short answer is no, Snow White does not live up to our expectations. It holds a mere 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes which reflects the mixed critical response it received after release. Several critics emphasize how it shifts from the original source material while some pointed towards a rather dragging screenplay.

Some moments in the film appear to be trying hard to exhibit a sense of progressiveness through their allegorical commentary on today's time. However, they end up making the film look pretentious. Rachel Zegler, although puts in earnest efforts in playing Snow White, her portrayal doesn't seem to have made the cut at all.

Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen is no exception. the Wonder Woman actress, who is generally considered to be a reliable performer, speaks in an off-putting accent and uses exaggerated body language. It seems that the creators and the actors were aiming to mimic the characteristic trait of an animated film meant for children to amplify and exaggerate everything, an attempt which, if made at all, fails completely in the live-action version.

As mentioned above, the ending deviates from the original. After being kissed back to consciousness, instead of going off to live happily ever after, we see the protagonist returning to her kingdom and taking over. While it might be an interesting take in terms of how it speaks to the general movement of women's empowerment, beyond the plane of ideas, the build-up to the climax and Snow White's subsequent victory doesn't feel earned on screen.

Ever since it was announced, the film has been mired in controversies. From Zegler's comments to Peter Dinklage's criticism of the film, there has been a lot that the makers had to deal with. But one can put everything aside and see the film with zero expectations and still be disappointed.

There is a considerable number of people who love the film and call it one of the best live-action remakes in recent years. So watch it and make up your mind.

The film is now running in theatres.