"Snow White" Remake Stumbles Out of the Gate: A Critical and Commercial Disappointment

Walt Disney Studios’ highly anticipated live-action remake of "Snow White" is facing a frosty reception, both from critics and at the box office, signaling a potential misstep for the entertainment giant. The film’s opening weekend projections are significantly underwhelming, suggesting it could become the lowest-grossing live-action remake in Disney’s history. This disappointing debut is compounded by a barrage of negative reviews from prominent film critics, who have lambasted the movie’s lack of originality, emotional depth, and overall quality.

Early box office forecasts indicate that "Snow White" is projected to earn approximately $43 million during its opening weekend. This figure falls short of expectations and positions it below the 2019 live-action remake of "Dumbo," which previously held the title for the weakest opening among Disney’s live-action adaptations with $46 million. Given "Snow White’s" hefty production budget of $270 million, compared to "Dumbo’s" $170 million, the film’s performance could be considered an even more significant financial setback for Disney.

The critical response to "Snow White" has been overwhelmingly negative, further exacerbating the film’s woes. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes currently displays a "rotten" score of 44% from critics, indicating widespread disapproval. While audience scores are somewhat more favorable at 74%, the scathing reviews from influential critics paint a grim picture of the film’s overall reception.

David Fear of Rolling Stone delivered a particularly biting critique, quipping that the film serves as an effective bedtime story due to its soporific effect. Manohla Dargis, chief film critic for The New York Times, expressed disappointment in the film’s mediocrity, stating that it is "neither good enough to admire nor bad enough to joyfully skewer." Kyle Smith of The Wall Street Journal criticized the film’s emphasis on visual gloss over genuine emotion, noting that "Gloss prevails over heart in nearly every scene, and plot beats feel contrived."

Odie Henderson of The Boston Globe lamented his initial optimism, writing, "I had high hopes that ‘Snow White’ would make me happy. Instead, this dopey remake made me sleepy and grumpy." The Associated Press, while praising the performance of lead actress Rachel Zegler, criticized the stiffness of the remaining cast and CGI characters, stating, "Zegler manages that, but everyone else in ‘Snow White’ – mortal or CGI – is as stiff as could be."

Wendy Ide, chief film critic for The Guardian, delivered an especially scathing review, awarding the film a single star out of five and describing it as "toe-curlingly terrible." She accused the filmmakers of prioritizing profit over artistic integrity, stating that it is "A film made by people with cartoon dollar signs for eyes and not even the tiniest glimmer of art in their souls." She further characterized the viewing experience as "a bamboo-splinters-under-the-fingernails viewing experience."

Richard Lawson, chief critic for Vanity Fair, conveyed his disbelief at the film’s high production cost, questioning whether it was a theatrically released feature film or a made-for-TV movie.

The film’s troubled production history, marked by controversies and delays, may have contributed to its poor performance. In the years leading up to the release, the film faced a year-long delay. There was Disney’s shifting stance on the depiction of the dwarfs. The film’s lead actress Rachel Zegler expressed critical views of the original animated film’s traditional themes and engaged in public criticism of supporters of former President Donald Trump. All this appears to have negatively impacted public perception of the film even before its release.

Conservative Hollywood film critic Christian Toto suggested that the film’s "perfect storm of media mismanagement" has significantly diminished its box office potential.

The negative reception of "Snow White" raises questions about Disney’s strategy for live-action remakes. While some remakes have achieved critical and commercial success, others have fallen short, leading to debates about the necessity and artistic merit of these adaptations. The "Snow White" remake’s struggles highlight the challenges of reimagining beloved classics for a modern audience while preserving their original charm and appeal. It underscores the need for careful consideration of the source material, strong storytelling, and a commitment to artistic integrity in order to resonate with both critics and audiences. The film’s failure could prompt Disney to reevaluate its approach to live-action remakes and prioritize original storytelling in the future. It is important to note that actress Rachel Zegler previously commented on the fact that she appreciates critics. Saying it makes her feel like teflon. This comment has gone under fire for the lack of appreciation towards the project.

The controversy surrounding Peter Dinklage’s criticism of the film’s approach to diversity also adds another layer to the film’s troubled narrative. Dinklage questioned the decision to cast a Latina actress as Snow White while maintaining the traditional depiction of the dwarfs, arguing that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. This criticism sparked a broader discussion about the representation of marginalized groups in film and the responsibility of filmmakers to challenge outdated tropes.