FILM REVIEW: Timeless Disney tale still retains most of its magic and charm despite some premature online outrage
Snow White is the latest in Disney’s line of live-action remakes
THE latest in Disney’s line of live-action remakes is , a modern reimagining of the 1937 classic that paved the way for every Disney princess to come.
Adapting Disney’s first animated feature to live-action was never going to be a walk in the park (or in this case, an enchanted forest), but despite some premature online criticism, this timeless tale still retains most of its magic and charm.
No stranger to tackling a remake, director Marc Webb proves a safe and confident hand behind the camera. Having previously helmed 2012’s reboot, Webb evidently knows when to play it safe and capitalise on nostalgia and when to bravely introduce something new to familiar favourites.
This is very much the case for and, although most of the story is a retelling of the original, some new elements have been incorporated to add more relatable layers to the eponymous character.
On that note, Rachel Zegler plays the titular princess with great passion and pride, imbuing the character with a strong sense of self-worth and independence.
While I found her performance to be a bit too abrasive, I can understand the choice to move the character away from the “damsel in distress” role in an effort to appeal to modern audiences.
However, it cannot be denied that Zegler’s singing voice is truly sweet-sounding as she performs each song with incredible range and emotion.
Starring opposite Zegler is Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Unfortunately, Gadot’s performance is less inspired than her counterpart’s, delivering each line with cold monotony.
That being said, given her role as the standard villain in a Disney fairy tale, her performance is purely perfunctory.
The real standouts here are the seven dwarfs, who provide a much-needed dose of comic-relief and heartfelt nostalgia. Despite the controversial choice to realise the dwarfs through the use of CGI, their characters feel entirely faithful to the 1937 original and are the beating heart at the centre of this film.
Although most of these live-action remakes of Disney’s animated classics are initially met with a degree of scepticism, seems to have been the source of exceptional contention and outrage.
It should be no surprise that much of this online uproar is entirely unwarranted and usually rooted in politics rather than the film itself.
And while this latest live-action offering from Disney may not prove as impressive as its or remake, it is still a heart-warming and wholesome time at the cinema.
I am quite sure its target audience will not share the same sentiment as those online comments.
