Review: With 'Snow White,' breathes new life into a classic Disney tale

Walt Disney Pictures, 2025.

The thought of the newest Disney live-action remake  has me whistling with delight.

"Snow White" is the rare remake with purpose. In 1937, Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was a ground-breaking achievement, and the first full-length animated film produced in the United States. It's safe to say that much has changed in our country over the past 88 years. If ever there was a Disney classic in need of some updating, this was it.

Director Marc Webb ("The Amazing Spider-Man," "500 Days of Summer") creates a modern version of the tale, swirling with that intangible Disney magic, that's both original and reverent of what's come before. The (mostly) all-new music is surprisingly good and dynamic (the powerhouse duo of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Academy Award winners who crafted songs for "La La Land," "The Greatest Showman" and "Dear Evan Hansen," were brought on to craft these new songs) and the production design, costumes and visual effects are every bit as stunning as the recent Oscar-winning film, "Wicked."

Despite some casting issues and a few missteps, I didn't just like the new "Snow White" film...I loved it.

Grade: A-

The wildly talented Rachel Zegler - who broke out as a star playing Maria in Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake of "West Side Story" - plays the titular character and instantly will win you over.

The film opens with a joyous, colorful and sprawling musical number, "Good Things Grow," and it immediately sets the tone for what's to come. Everything iconic about the original film is still included - there's the evil stepmother (Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot), the magic mirror, the seven magical creatures living in the woods (the film never refers to them as "dwarves" to align with political-correctness), and the handful of songs and scenes that we all know and love. Yes, they add an extended "mine cart" scene (the modern roller coaster added to Disney World had to be shoe-horned in somehow) and the main love interest for Snow White is no longer a Prince, but a lawful thief a la the male hero from another modern Disney classic, "Tangled."

And while the themes of "forbidden fruit," poisonous apples and deep sleeps are still prevalent, this Snow White is an empowering figure who doesn't need "saving." She is a fierce warrior and leader, the rightful heir to the throne. And she will surely become a beloved version of the character for modern audiences.

The Dwarves...er, Snow White's seven new friends...are defined much more cleverly than their original counterparts. Dopey, for one, has always been an endearing character, but this version doesn't speak for a reason. As a parent of a child with severe and crippling social anxiety, I really appreciated seeing these "side" characters not only break away from their charactonyms but also experience genuine growth.

While some of these changes were strong, there were significant missteps when it came to casting. As much fun as she appeared to be having, Gal Gadot felt...off. While Rachel Zegler fully embodies Snow White, making you believe in her character, Gal Gadot never quite disappears into the role of the Evil Queen. She certainly looks the part, but her performance feels more like watching Gal Gadot play dress-up rather than fully capturing the Queen’s commanding presence and sinister essence. Similarly, Andrew Burnap, who portrays the new love interest Jonathan, offers an adequate performance, but it falls short of leaving a lasting impression.

Despite its flaws, the music, visuals, and underlying messages of the new Snow White ultimately outshine its shortcomings. Let’s be honest—like all Disney remakes, profit was undoubtedly a driving force behind this film. But this one feels different. It was crafted with purpose and confidence, and much like the original, it carries a sense of innovation that makes it feel just as groundbreaking in its own way.

​For me, it's the fairest Disney remake of them all.

Grade: A-

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Musical.
Run Time: 1 hour 49 minutes.
Rated PG.

Starring: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap.

Directed by Marc Webb ("The Amazing Spider-Man," "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," "Gifted," "500 Days of Summer").

"Snow White" is in theaters everywhere on Friday, March 21st, 2025.