Disney’s live-action “Snow White” remake has finally been unveiled at the movie’s Hollywood premiere, and first reactions are trickling in calling it a dazzling hit for the House of Mouse.
Variety film reporter Katcy Stephan praised star Rachel Zegler as “a shining supernova,” adding that the film is a “visual feast with show-stopping new musical numbers and, of course, dozens of enchanting animated animals. The screenplay wisely gives its heroine newfound depth through her fervent desire to become the leader her father believed she could be, and a love story that’s sweet as apple pie.”
Online critic Christopher Rates It wrote of the film, “‘Snow White’ is not only one of their best live-action remakes in years, but it’s also a film that recaptures the magic of the 1937 movie. Rachel Zegler IS Snow White, and she delivers such a magical performance.”
Filmhounds editor Paul Klein echoed the praise with one caveat, writing that he “may regret saying this but ‘Snow White’ is solid. I really enjoyed the musical numbers, particularly the opening one and the Queen’s evil bop. Zegler was great in the lead role, and Gadot was fun. It’s really the CGI dwarves that let the film down. The choice is baffling.”
“Snow White” is directed by Marc Webb (“500 Days of Summer,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”) and is a reimagining of Disney’s 1937 animated classic, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Zegler stars in the title role, a princess who is forced into the forest after her stepmother, the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot), takes control of her parents’ kingdom. Snow White meets the seven dwarfs and together they come up with a plan to win her kingdom back. Andrew Burnap also stars in the film as Snow White’s newly-created love interest.
The “Snow White” remake is Disney’s latest attempt to bring its iconic animated film library back to the big screen in a live-action format. The studio will also be rolling out a live-action “Lilo & Stitch” in theaters this May.
It’s a been a long road to release for the “Snow White” remake. Cameras were originally going to start rolling on the film in March 2020, but the Covid pandemic delayed the beginning of production to March 2022. Controversies popped up along the way, starting with when Zegler upset some Disney fans by calling the original “Snow White” animated film “dated” because the prince “literally stalks Snow White.”
“She’s not going to be saved by the prince,” Zegler told Variety at D23 two years ago. “She’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”
“Game of Thrones” Emmy winner Peter Dinklage also called out the movie for using CGI to bring the seven dwarfs and not casting actors in those roles.
“Literally no offense to anything, but I was sort of taken aback,” he said on the “WTF” podcast in January 2024. “They were very proud to cast a Latino actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.’ Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there.”
“Snow White” opens in theaters March 21 from Disney.
From Variety US