‘Snow White’ Movie Review: A Disney Remake That Actually Works

I walked into Disney’s new live-action Snow White with my expectations firmly in check. As a massive Disney fan (yes, I have an Annual Pass to Disney World and all the classics on VHS), I’ve been burned by these remakes before (Dumbo and Aladdin, looking at you). But I’m genuinely shocked by how much I enjoyed this one. The film manages something rare: honoring what we love while creating a fresh energy with a tale we all know by heart.

Disney’s Snow White brings the beloved 1937 classic to life with Rachel Zegler as our fair princess and Gal Gadot as the wickedly beautiful Evil Queen. The film hits theaters exclusively on March 21, 2025, delivering new and classic songs and, of course, the seven dwarfs (one of my major issues with the film)—Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy. 

Check out the trailer below.

Snow White Movie Trailer: 

Snow White Movie Review: What I Liked and Didn’t Like

I loved Rachel Zegler’s performance—she embodies Snow White perfectly, bringing warmth and depth to the character with her doe-like expressions and a kindness that radiants from her eyes. The music works beautifully, too, though there’s no standout hit that will dominate playlists the way “Let It Go” did (and still does). But there’s not one bad song in the flick; they’re all solid with a Broadway-like presence to them (which makes sense, considering Benj Pasek and Justin Paul were involved). Also worth noting is that the animal CGI looks as natural and convincing as I think it possibly can—which was another piece I was worried about.

My Complaints…

My complaints? The dwarfs are creepy as hell. Something about their CGI rendering puts them deep in uncanny valley territory. The decision to use digital effects rather than actors with dwarfism or traditional practical effects creates persistent visual discomfort and confusion. Their faces look almost mask-like—with expressions that don’t quite match their emotions and movements that feel slightly mechanical. The eyes are particularly problematic—too glassy and lifeless compared to the warmth in Zegler’s performance. Even in scenes meant to be heartwarming, like when they welcome Snow White into their cottage, there’s an unsettling quality that pulls you out of the story.

This technical misstep is especially frustrating because these beloved characters deserve so much better. Dopey, who should be endearing, ends up looking like something from a mild nightmare. Doc’s glasses somehow make his digital face even more unsettling, creating a disconnect between the animated characters we grew up loving and these uncanny digital creations. When they sing “Heigh-Ho,” a moment that should bring nostalgic joy, I found myself distracted by how their mouth movements didn’t quite sync with the lyrics. They’re terrifyingly and a solid example that CGI can’t put the “charm” in “charming.”

The Story

The plot stays true to the fairy tale we know while adding some meaningful depth. Snow White isn’t just waiting for her prince—she has dreams and ambitions that make her more relatable to modern viewers. The classic elements remain: the magic mirror and the poisoned apple. But clever updates to the narrative make it feel fresh without betraying what fans love about the original.

The chemistry between Rachel and Andrew Burnap (who plays the Prince—and yes, he finally has a name (Jonathan) and personality!) adds genuine heart to their romance. Their connection feels earned rather than the instant love of the original, which helps ground the fairy tale in emotional reality.

Breathing new life into these beloved classics is a delicate balancing act that Disney doesn’t always get right (in fact, I would say these live actions rarely get them right). So many of us millennials grew up with these tales as our cinematic comfort food—they’re not just movies but childhood memories wrapped in animation.

Making Snow White “relevant” for 2025 could have been painfully forced, as we’ve seen with other remakes that mistake modernization for improvement. What works here is that the changes feel organic rather than performative, enhancing rather than erasing what made the original special. This film understands that nostalgia is a powerful emotion—it doesn’t need to be replaced, just thoughtfully expanded upon. There’s something refreshingly sincere about a film that believes fairytales still matter, even when they grow up a little. It’s nice to get lost in that for even just an hour and a half.

The Acting

Rachel Zegler is the standout star here. When she delivers the classic lines we all know, they feel genuine rather than performative—even if her character does feel rather simple and delightfully naive… But in the quieter moments, like when she first discovers the dwarfs’ cottage, Zegler’s expressive face conveys curiosity and wonder that pulls you right into her journey.

Gal Gadot brings impressive menace and presence to the Evil Queen—her commanding performance works despite her vocal limitations. Yet something feels missing in her portrayal; she hits all the right notes of vanity and cruelty without ever revealing what truly drives her character’s obsession. The scene where she transforms into the old hag is visually compelling—Gadot maintains the Queen’s essence through layers of prosthetics—but we never glimpse the psychological transformation that would make her villainy truly compelling. When she delivers the iconic “fairest of them all” line, there’s a chilling conviction that satisfies without quite haunting.

Andrew Burnap deserves credit for breathing some life into the Prince, traditionally the flattest character in this story. While he’s certainly more developed than the original’s barely-there royal, his character still feels like a collection of appealing traits rather than a fully realized person. His motivations shift to serve the plot, and his backstory feels tacked on rather than essential. His initial encounter with Snow White shows promising chemistry, and his singing voice pairs well with Zegler’s, but the script never gives him enough substance to truly matter beyond his function in Snow White’s story.

Overall Thoughts

Despite its flaws, this Snow White remake succeeds where many others have failed – it honors what fans love about the original while finding meaningful ways to expand the story and add a little something new for the latest generation. It’s proof that Disney can update their classics without losing the magic that made them special. If they can just remember this for their future live-action films…

For families, Disney enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates an innocent tale with heart, this reimagining delivers an enchanting experience that’s worth the price of admission. Color me surprised – this Disney remake actually deserves your attention. But if you take small children to see it, just know that they will have nightmares.

Snow White Movie Review: 

Grade: B-