A Fresh Bite of the Apple: "Snow White" Remakes the Fairy Tale with Modern Mojo
Disney’s live-action remakes have become a cultural touchstone, often met with skepticism and a high bar to clear. But the new "Snow White" adaptation, directed by Marc Webb, manages to avoid the pitfalls of becoming another uninspired retread. Instead, it revitalizes the classic fairy tale, infusing it with fresh musicality and a contemporary sensibility while still honoring the spirit of the original.
This isn’t just a paint-by-numbers recreation; it’s a reimagining that dares to blow up the template of the beloved 1937 animated film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The revamp, which earns a respectable three out of four stars, smartly strips away some of the less essential elements, most notably sidelining the traditional charming prince storyline. The most significant change, however, is the inspired reinterpretation of Snow White herself, brought to life by Rachel Zegler. Zegler’s performance is imbued with a modern agency, and the inclusion of original songs allows Snow White to truly step into her own as a dynamic and proactive protagonist.
In fact, the film’s greatest strength lies in its fresh additions. The title itself hints at a shift in focus, subtly downplaying the role of the seven dwarfs. While they remain kid-friendly and undeniably present, the film suggests that their absence wouldn’t have detracted significantly from the overall narrative. Their function seems almost perfunctory, a nod to tradition rather than a vital component of the story.
The core narrative remains recognizable. Snow White, portrayed by Zegler, is a scullery maid perpetually under the thumb of her stepmother, the Evil Queen. Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Queen leans more towards a super-nasty persona than pure, unadulterated evil, adding a layer of campy deliciousness to the villain. The Queen’s obsession with the Magic Mirror and its pronouncements of beauty remain central to the plot. When the Mirror shifts its allegiance from the Queen to Snow White, the young woman becomes a target. She’s ordered to be killed by the royal Huntsman, but instead, she escapes into a magical forest, finding solace in nature and befriending seven diminutive roommates.
The screenplay, penned by Erin Cressida Wilson, cleverly cherry-picks elements from both the classic cartoon and the original Brothers Grimm tale, while simultaneously forging its own path. The film expands upon Snow White’s backstory, adding layers of tragedy and providing a clearer trajectory for her growth as a Disney princess. The original songs, crafted by Oscar-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, enhance this journey. “Waiting on a Wish,” the film’s "I Want" song, showcases Snow White’s yearning for self-discovery and reclaiming her royal destiny, rather than simply waiting for a romantic rescue. While romance isn’t entirely absent – she shares a connection with Jonathan, a charismatic potato-thieving leader of a band of forest bandits – it’s not the defining element of her character arc.
Zegler, who previously wowed audiences as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s "West Side Story," brings a genuine earnestness to the role of Snow White, coupled with a newfound gumption that was absent in the original depiction. Her chemistry with Andrew Burnap as Jonathan is palpable, and she holds her own against Gadot’s delightfully imperious Evil Queen. Gadot’s performance takes some getting used to initially, particularly the somewhat bizarre explanation of her magical powers being derived from her attractiveness. However, she fully embraces her role as a villainous diva, culminating in her sinister musical number "All Is Fair."
One of the film’s more peculiar aspects is the inherent tension between its desire to be a fresh, modern musical and its simultaneous adherence to the established tropes of the original. Some of these choices work surprisingly well. For example, the CGI animals adopt a cartoonish aesthetic rather than striving for photorealism, aligning with the whimsical tone of the fairy tale. Other choices, such as Snow White’s traditional Technicolor dress and bob hairstyle, feel somewhat out of place.
The depiction of the seven dwarfs, Doc, Dopey, Sneezy, Sleepy, Happy, Bashful, and Grumpy, is arguably the film’s weakest link. Created through a combination of motion-capture performances, puppets, and voice acting, these haphazard CGI creations feel jarringly out of sync with the rest of the film’s aesthetic. Their presence feels almost redundant, particularly given the existence of Jonathan’s band of bandits, which includes George Appleby, a little person who appeared in "Game of Thrones." It’s as if the bandits were intended to replace the dwarfs entirely, only for the original crew to be reinstated at the last minute to appease die-hard fans and maintain the integrity of the Disney World mine train ride. Despite these shortcomings, the film manages to retain the infectious energy of "Heigh-Ho," proving that some things truly are timeless.
Ultimately, "Snow White" succeeds by following in the footsteps of other successful Disney redos like "Cruella" and "Maleficent," finding modern relevance within the framework of the classic story. The film reimagines the concept of "fairest of them all," shifting the focus from physical beauty to inner qualities like kindness and empathy. This reimagining becomes a powerful call to arms against cruelty and tyranny. In the end, it’s not true love’s first kiss or whimsical sidekicks that resonate most strongly, but the message of compassion and resistance that makes this new "Snow White" a worthwhile addition to the Disney canon. It serves as a reminder that these timeless stories can be reinterpreted and revitalized to speak to new generations, offering valuable lessons and inspiring hope in a world that desperately needs it.
