MOVIE REVIEW – 88 years ago, Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated feature, which not only transformed the studio’s potential but also changed film history, proving what animation could achieve. After years of producing short films and Silly Symphonies, Disney defied all odds—and in doing so, created a masterpiece that remains magical even today.

While Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is an undeniable classic, a triumph in cinematic history, and a blueprint for countless later films, it is not without flaws. At the time, Disney was still experimenting with transitioning from ten-minute shorts to a full 83-minute narrative, and this is evident in the movie. The actual plot unfolds in about ten minutes at the beginning and the end, with the intervening hour filled with musical sequences about cleaning. Snow White herself lacks depth (Cinderella, 13 years later, was far more successfully developed as a fully realized character), and it’s also true that we don’t learn much about the faceless Prince or the Evil Queen. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a massive achievement, but it is also the result of experimentation, striving to harness a completely new mode of storytelling—and understandably, it doesn’t always hit the mark perfectly. Simply put: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs may be a genre-defining masterpiece, yet Rachel Zegler is not wrong to highlight some of its weaknesses.

Given Disney’s past enthusiasm for direct-to-DVD sequels and prequels, as well as its recent attempts to reimagine classic animated films as live-action adaptations, it’s surprising that it took nearly a century to return to this world (though not for lack of trying). Snow White, directed by Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-Man) with a screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary, Chloe), doesn’t aim to “improve” Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but rather to rethink and expand on elements that were underdeveloped in the 1937 film. As with nearly all Disney live-action adaptations, this version has no chance of overshadowing the original, but the new Snow White serves as a form of world-building that acts as a pleasant addition to the animated classic.

What is the new Snow White about?

Disney’s latest live-action adaptation primarily focuses on expanding Snow White’s (Zegler) character and the kingdom’s world. The story follows Snow White, the only child of a king and queen who ruled with love, kindness, and compassion. When the queen dies, the king remarries, taking as his wife a woman with magical powers (Gal Gadot), who soon assumes control. But when the king departs one day and never returns, the new queen seizes the throne in a ruthless manner: she despises her people, hoards the kingdom’s wealth for herself, while the land falls into poverty and hunger. Many believe Snow White has disappeared, but in reality, the queen has kept her stepdaughter as a servant in her castle.

Every day, the queen consults her magic mirror, asking who is the fairest in the land. The mirror always names her, but when Snow White shows kindness to Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), a local rebel and thief who sneaks into the castle, the mirror suddenly names her instead. Enraged, the queen orders her loyal Huntsman (Ansu Kabia) to take Snow White into the forest, kill her, and bring back her heart. However, upon witnessing Snow White’s goodness firsthand, the Huntsman lets her escape into the woods. There, Snow White finds herself in an enchanted forest, encountering seven dwarfs and a group of rebels plotting against the queen’s rule. Snow White joins them in their quest to restore the kingdom’s former glory.

Modernizing a classic – mostly works

The new Snow White is at its strongest when it broadens the scope of the story. The deeper exploration of Snow White’s past, her place in the kingdom, and her relationship with the Evil Queen adds complexity to the tale. This is no longer just a story about beauty and jealousy; it’s about a tyrannical, self-absorbed ruler facing the power of empathy, kindness, and hope (and who in today’s world couldn’t relate to that?).

Much has been debated about how the film handles the dwarfs, but Wilson’s screenplay finds a relatively effective approach. The dwarfs have lived together for over two centuries, and the film playfully explores their conflicting personalities (after all, how could Grumpy tolerate Happy’s constant cheerfulness?). One of the best improvements in the remake is how it develops Dopey and his bond with Snow White. The original film’s most iconic duo remains intact, and their friendship is so heartwarming that you might even forget you’re watching CGI dwarfs.

Of course, not all updates work seamlessly. The dwarfs, for example, have been given an odd ability: their glowing hands can sense valuable gemstones in the mine—a completely unnecessary and ultimately pointless idea. Additionally, the film sometimes over-explains details that didn’t need extra background. We probably didn’t need an origin story for Snow White’s name or to learn that the kingdom was once famous for its red apples, which she and her mother used to bake into pies.

The strangest decision, however, is Jonathan’s rebel group. It’s obvious that the film originally intended them to replace the dwarfs before CGI versions were introduced. In the end, both groups remain in the movie, but the rebels are so underdeveloped that they feel insignificant and unnecessarily complicate the plot.

Rachel Zegler shines as Snow White

One of the film’s biggest strengths is Rachel Zegler’s performance. As a child, her father taught her to be fearless, fair, brave, and loyal—traits that define her character throughout the film. Zegler doesn’t attempt to mimic the animated Snow White but brings her own interpretation to the role, emphasizing kindness, empathy, and a strong sense of justice—just as she learned from her parents. She delivers one of the best live-action Disney princess performances, maintaining the character’s original charm and heart while adding genuine depth and agency.

On the other hand, Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen, unfortunately, doesn’t receive enough screen time. Gadot gives her all in the role, but she lacks the imposing, fearsome presence that made the original character such a dominant villain. Moreover, the screenplay does little to expand her character. Yes, she is power-hungry, vain, and greedy—but now she sings, too! While the film successfully deepens Snow White’s character, the Evil Queen is not given the same treatment, which weakens the central conflict.

Snow White is a respectable attempt to tell the classic story for a new generation

Director Webb carefully balances fairy-tale elements with a grounded narrative. Yes, the cute woodland creatures still surround Snow White, but in a post-Enchanted world, audiences won’t buy that they help with housework. Still, Webb manages to preserve the magic of the fairy tale, along with its terror and beauty. Snow White’s flight into the enchanted forest is as eerie and breathtaking as it should be, while her meeting with the prince finally carries some emotional weight.

At the same time, Webb doesn’t shy away from depicting the kingdom’s struggles and isn’t afraid to explore the darker layers of the story. Even after 88 years, the script finds meaningful ways to deepen the original plot, and while the occasional awkwardness—especially in balancing CGI dwarfs with the new rebels—is noticeable, these missteps are infrequent and don’t ruin the experience.

Considering the immense pressure on the film—adapting one of Disney’s first masterpieces and the first-ever full-length animated feature—it’s surprising how well this reimagining works. It’s not perfect, and it sometimes clumsily tries to modernize the story, but its sincerity and heart make up for its flaws. Snow White deserved an update, and this is a respectable, well-crafted reinterpretation that stands among Disney’s better live-action remakes. It may not be the fairest of them all, but it’s an admirable effort.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-