Snow White Movie Review: Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot fail to bring magic to Disney’s latest reboot

Snow White movie review

A nostalgic reboot that lacks magic and heart

Disney’s reboot of ‘Snow White’ is a lifeless and hollow attempt to cash in on nostalgia that ultimately falls flat. Lacking the magic and charm of the original, the film fails to spark any real engagement, offering only surface-level gloss without substance. The tone is dull and uninspired, resulting in performances that feel soulless and detached. As the credits roll, you can’t help but wonder—was a reboot of this classic truly necessary? In trying to modernize a beloved tale, the film forgets to capture the heart that made it timeless in the first place.

An uninspired reimagining

Based on the original story by the Brothers Grimm, ‘Snow White’ suffers from an unimaginative screenplay that fails to capture the essence of the classic tale. The film takes creative liberties, removing the traditional prince and instead merging his role into Jonathan, the leader of a bandit group who opposes the Evil Queen. However, in its attempt to offer a fresh take on the fairy tale, the result feels underwhelming, with uninspired writing reducing the original’s charm to mere fragments. In this new version, the film is devoid of romance, magic, and emotion, stripping away the very elements that made ‘Snow White’ an enduring classic. What remains is a visually polished yet emotionally hollow reimagining that struggles to justify its existence.

A tale of betrayal, survival, and deception

The film opens with Snow White’s parents ruling their kingdom happily, dedicated to its prosperity. Tragedy strikes when her mother dies, and her father remarries the Evil Queen, who gradually seizes control. She sends her husband to battle invaders, ensuring he never returns. Snow White (Rachel Zegler) is reduced to a servant, confined within the castle.

When the magic mirror reveals that Snow White has surpassed her in beauty, the enraged Queen orders Huntsman (Ansu Kabia) to take her into the forest and kill her. However, moved by Snow White’s kindness, he spares her and orders her to flee. She soon encounters the seven dwarfs, who, after initial hesitation, grow fond of her. Meanwhile, upon learning that Snow White is still alive, the Evil Queen devises a sinister plan, ultimately tricking her into eating a poisoned apple. As Snow White falls into a death-like sleep, the kingdom’s fate hangs in the balance.

Average performances in a hollow retelling

The film features largely average performances from its cast. Rachel Zegler, in the lead role of Snow White, delivers an uninspired portrayal, lacking the charm, kindness, and relatability that define the character. Gal Gadot, as the Evil Queen, struggles with consistency—her menace and intimidation appear only in fleeting moments. Her performance leans toward theatricality, which feels out of place in a film that needed a more nuanced antagonist. Despite the potential for a captivating rivalry, the lack of depth in both performances leaves the film emotionally hollow.

Verdict

However, the film isn’t entirely without merit—certain aspects do stand out. Visually, it is quite appealing, successfully capturing a fairy-tale aesthetic. While the CGI falters in some scenes, the overall design adds a layer of enchantment.

Yet, one of the biggest missed opportunities is the chemistry between the dwarfs. Their dialogue lacks spark, and their relationships feel underdeveloped, stripping away the charm that could have easily been the films’ USP. The film also includes several songs, but only two manage to leave an impression, while some iconic tracks from the original are omitted. Ultimately, ‘Snow White’ feels like a cynical, soulless retelling that struggles to justify its existence.

Cast: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap, and Ansu Kabia

Director: Marc Webb

Rating: 2.5/5