Elizabeth De Santiago
Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White released in theaters March 21, based on the original 1937 animated film. The Sidekick staff writer Neha Nathwani discusses how the film left her underwhelmed. Graphic by Elizabeth De Santiago
Mirror mirror on the wall, what’s the flattest remake of them all?
Unfortunately, it might just be Disney’s new live-action Snow White – a film so desperate to modernize its heroine that it forgets to give her a personality at all.
Disney’s live-action remake of its 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs came to theaters on Mar. 21. The film follows Rachel Zegler as Snow White, a princess exiled by her evil stepmother played by Gal Gadot.
The princess finds refuge in the forest and is drawn into a greater destiny – not to fall in love, but to save her people and reclaim her kingdom from the evil queen.
It is a bold reinterpretation of the classic story, swapping out romance for leadership and giving Snow White a modern purpose.
The film’s message is clear: this Snow White is not waiting for a prince to save her but leading a revolution. Despite the backlash for being “too feminist” or “too modern,” I was fond of the new angle.
Giving her more agency and purpose beyond true love is refreshing, especially in an era where young girls deserve to see themselves as both kind and capable. Since Snow White’s main personality trait is kindness, there is nothing kinder than saving your beloved people from the shackles of evil.
The music is another bright spot. The updated rendition of “Whistle While You Work” is one of my favorite parts: jolly, catchy and stuck in my head for days, just like Disney music should.
Visually, the CGI woodland animals are well presented, adorable and charming; they add a sense of allurement. The forest setting is beautiful and has a soft, glowing and warming palette that feels almost like a storybook.
But that is where the charm ends.
As someone who went into the movie with an open mind – and as someone who appreciates Disney’s appeal to more modern audiences and values – I do not find the film overly progressive. It is just too flat.
There is a difference between change and erasure.
The original 1937 Snow White is the embodiment of grace. With her soft, old-timey voice, kind heart and otherworldly gentleness, she is not just a character, but the archetype of a true princess. The character is a symbol of sweetness and femininity, a softness remaining with you long after the credits roll.
Zegler is a talented actress. She brings energy and confidence into the role. But that’s the problem. Snow White is not supposed to be energetic and confident in a modern, sassy way. Her power is quiet. Her kindness is her strength. In trying to rebrand her as a bold girlboss, the film forgets that gentleness is a form of strength too.
The result is a protagonist who feels like she could be any other character – a vaguely strong, vaguely empowering heroine we have seen a hundred times before. This Snow White is not an update – she’s a reboot and unfortunately, she doesn’t stand out.
The charm continues to slip with the casting of Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Gadot is charismatic, but the queen needs more than charisma – she needs vanity, malice and theatrical flair.
The costume design is shockingly underwhelming. Snow White’s iconic dress appears to be an afterthought, a last-minute dress purchased from Party City. The dress lacks intricacy and enchantment, making the little girl inside of me cry when she first saw it. Her haircut, a short bob that unfortunately calls to mind Lord Farquaad from Shrek, does little to help.
Then there are the dwarfs, or rather, the CGI placeholders replacing them. While visually cute, these characters also fall flat, not holding a candle to the original seven personalities giving the first film its heartbeat. It is hard not to think something is missing – namely, real actors, real chemistry and real warmth.
So no, I do not believe the backlash on Snow White to be entirely fair. It does not deserve to be dragged through the dirt, but it also doesn’t deserve to be remembered.
If Disney wants these remakes to matter, it cannot simply modernize its stories. It must preserve the heart making them special in the first place.
Because if a remake loses its core, is it still a fairytale at all?
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