Mixed Reactions to Disney’s Snow White Ahead of Release
As the release date for Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White approaches, early reviews from critics are emerging, revealing a spectrum of opinions about the film. Directed by Marc Webb, this retelling of the beloved 1937 classic stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the menacing Evil Queen. The narrative follows Snow White as she collaborates with seven dwarfs to reclaim her kingdom from her sinister stepmother.
Controversies Surrounding the Film
The film has faced scrutiny for various reasons, particularly regarding Zegler’s casting choices and her outspoken comments about the original animated film. Her controversial remarks on social media, including a reaction to Donald Trump’s re-election and her advocacy for Palestine, have sparked intense discussions online. Additionally, speculation of a feud between Zegler and Gadot persists, given Gadot’s vocal stance against antisemitism and her advocacy for Israeli hostages.
Critical Reception
As of Wednesday, Snow White holds a score of 48% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 80 critiques, while Metacritic shows a score of 47% from 37 reviews. The cast also features Andrew Burnap and Emilia Faucher, alongside voices from Andrew Barth Feldman, Tituss Burgess, and others for the digitally created dwarfs.
Insights from Film Critics
Here are some significant comments from noted reviews regarding Snow White:
David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter: “None of that background noise matters in Marc Webb’s vibrant retelling… It reshapes a story about a princess dreaming of her knight into one where she finds the courage to lead. This desire is expressed with passionate feeling in ‘Waiting On a Wish’.”
Kate Erbland of IndieWire: “It’s far more entertaining than that might lead on… This is a spirited and sweet spin that deserves kudos for balancing necessary updates with affection for original themes.”
Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian: “A kind of un-Wicked approach to the story… These agonizing and backlash-second-guessing revisions show that the brand identity must be preserved, which compromises the performances of Zegler and Gadot.”
Kyle Smith of The Wall Street Journal: “It isn’t perfect… But it’s enchanting, scary, and moving, despite feeling like it’s from a bygone era.”
Alison Willmore from Vulture: “The bar is so low for live-action Disney remakes… It’s better than, say, Aladdin, which was awful… It’s devoid of delight yet retains its cultural context.”
Brian Truitt of USA Today: “It puts some extra musical mojo on the fairy tale… The revamp gives Zegler a different character arc, allowing her to shine.”
Johnny Oleksinski from The New York Post: “This time, Disney has rifled through its back catalog with another awkward live-action adaptation that fades from memory.”
Helen O’Hara of Empire: “You can sense studio interference; it tries to replicate the past instead of creating something new, resulting in a compromised film.”
Ross Bonaime of Collider: “Despite its flaws, Snow White is an admirable update that stands as one of Disney’s better live-action remakes.”
Amy Nicholson from Los Angeles Times: “The new songs are forgettable, and too much clutter detracts from the animation.”
David Fear from Rolling Stone: “The film strains to appease both purists and modern audiences, ending up bland and perfunctory.”
Conclusion
The diverse critiques of Disney’s Snow White highlight the challenges faced by modern adaptations of classic stories. As fans eagerly await the film’s release on March 21, the mix of praise and skepticism underscores the complex landscape of remaking beloved tales for contemporary audiences.