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Disney's latest attempt to refresh their animated classics crashes headlong into the pitfalls of modernization with the Snow White remake. What should have been a loving tribute to the film that built the Disney empire instead becomes a cautionary tale about straying too far from what made the original magical.
The fundamental disconnect begins with the characterization of Snow White herself. As Katy astutely observes, "Beauty and strength don't have to all look like shouting in your face." The gentle, kind-hearted princess we remember has been transformed into someone unrecognizable, wearing the iconic costume but behaving in ways that feel completely at odds with the character's essence. Rachel Zegler's singing talents aren't in question, but her portrayal creates a jarring dissonance that never resolves.
Gal Gadot's Evil Queen fails to capture the menacing elegance of the animated villain, coming across as robotic rather than regal. Meanwhile, the decision to render the seven dwarfs in CGI while simultaneously including a person with dwarfism among a group of random bandits creates a bewildering contradiction in the film's approach to representation.
What becomes most apparent throughout our discussion is that Snow White's greatest sin is over complication. The original's simple message about true beauty coming from within gets buried beneath unnecessary plot additions, character modifications, and tonal shifts. As Nathan points out, "If you're going to change the personality and storyline of the character, then why would you put her in the Snow White dress?" This fundamental question highlights how the film attempts to have its apple and eat it too.
The most frustrating aspect is knowing Disney can do better. Other remakes like Cinderella managed to expand on their source material while honoring its spirit. Snow White, scoring a dismal 0.5-1 out of 5 from our hosts, provides a valuable lesson: sometimes the simplest stories are the hardest to retell. Want to experience the best of what this film offers? Skip the movie entirely and just listen to the soundtrack.