Snow White

⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (out of 5 stars)

Throughout the years, families worldwide have traditionally been known to watch Disney animated classics. The original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) remains on everyone's watchlist. Cultural shifts have occurred over the past 90 years since its release, which caused this film to feel a bit dated. Still, this fairy tale has something special to offer children of all ages. As Disney continued to remake their full-length animated creations into live-action films, it was only a matter of time before Snow White would get her time. Yet, this production has courted a fair share of controversy and challenges that have led its release to be delayed and distracted potential audiences from celebrating this family film as it enters cinemas. There is still hope that the young princess and her friends can offer a fun family option for families this year.

This familiar fantasy does its best to cut a fine line between honouring the original film and attempting to reimagine the world of the put-upon princess and her band of merry miners. Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) dons the iconic dress, takes up the role of ‘fairest of them all’, and becomes more confrontational as she takes on her archnemesis, the Queen, played by Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman.) Eventually, the young woman is taken from the castle and must learn to navigate the wilds of the woods and discovers her newest friends, the seven dwarfs. Yet, within this latest version of the Grimm Brothers tale, Snow White also manages to light upon a mob of bandits led by the young rebel, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap). His inclusion adds a new dimension to the storyline, making for a multidimensional love interest who can carry a tune during the battle for the kingdom's heart. An unlikely alliance of merry men (and women) must work together to overcome the evil Queen and rediscover if the princess is fearless, fair, brave and true.

From the opening credits that feel like a nod to Beauty and the Beast, director Mark Webb is given the daunting task of splicing together a beloved film classic and modern story elements while making this a musical. He could never have expected the challenges of taking on this beloved Brothers Grimm’s tale and the uphill battle that would occur from bad publicity. Ignoring the issues outside of the production, the real problems with this film were within that proved to be the poison apple. Specifically, trying to honour the iconic elements of the original and then weaving together the old with the new proved daunting. Rachel Ziegler and Gal Gadot fit the bill for talent, and the necessary aesthetic for the two leading women, but neither proved convincing in these recognisable roles. Rachel has the musical skills to perform the musical numbers. Yet, failed to be as compelling as the innocent princess. While Gal has the beauty and presence to be intimidating, she struggles with her singing and finding her truly evil side to be convincing as the villain.

To travel from the primary casting, the struggle to hold onto the past while honouring the present became as apparent as the classic wrestling scene amongst the dwarves. Most notably, the love interest goes from being a prince to being a Robin Hood-like character and the introduction of his own motley crew of seven. Then came the onerous burden of melding together the much-loved tunes of Larry Morey and Frank Churchill (Whistle While You Work) with the modern stylings of The Greatest Showman duo of Pasek and Paul’s new song additions. These two varied methods of musical tones continued the identity crisis of determining what genre this film was meant to be, a fairy tale musical. Then for Snow White to take on the Queen directly in a moral battle of wills in what looks like a Little Red Riding Hood costume switch caused all of these new editions to give this whole film a duality that never ultimately comes together in the end. Finally, the story seems to have lost sight of its true audience, children, who will struggle with staying focussed over the run time and may get too scared during certain scenes to follow along the full journey.

More than any other Disney princess, Snow White is a character and film that continues to be iconic in the minds of generations of fans. This reimagining fails to live up to the original classic and struggles to find its voice in these live-action remakes. It shows how we all can learn a timeless lesson from the core of this well-worn story: that maybe something that looks beautiful and delicious, like remaking an animated classic, may not be worth taking a bite from in the end.

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REEL DIALOGUE: Is anyone ‘the fairest in the land?’

Ah, the classic tale of good versus evil and that fine line of determining who is on each side of this coin. Snow White and the Queen showcase this battle that has existed since the beginning of mankind. On-screen, it becomes evident which side we should cheer on, but the war between these two forces becomes muddled in real life. Why? We all know that within each of us, there is an interconnected nature of the dark and light sides of our own characters and spirits. So, how do we determine what is good or bad in this world when we fight this battle daily within ourselves?

If we are honest with ourselves, the only place to find the answer is outside ourselves and our limited viewpoints. This film gives us a glimpse into both sides of this war, but we know there are options to shed some light on the subject. The first step could be to engage with what God has to say about both good and evil. The Bible gives us the answers we seek and shows us how Jesus is the only one who is ‘fairest in this world.’ As he is referred to in Psalm 45:2, you are the most excellent of men, and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Yet, within his story, we can see how his life offer is worth reaching out for and grabbing.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah 5:20

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