Disney’s ‘Snow White’ (2025)

Release Date: March 21, 2025
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap, and a bunch of CGI dwarfs

So I decided to take the plunge and watch snow white... you know how it is—you think, “Hey, why not?” and suddenly you’re in the theater to see the latest Disney remake. I went in with low expectations, but also a bit of hope. Sure, Disney’s been hit or miss with these live-action reboots, but hey—Marc Webb is directing, and Rachel Zegler’s Snow White might bring something fresh, right?

Pre-Movie Shenanigans

I wasn't going in sober, obviously. A couple of beers at the bar seemed like the perfect warm-up to what I anticipated would be a rollercoaster of confusion. The trailers were as uninspiring as a wet blanket—except for one where Dwayne Johnson made his usual face of "I’m serious but still charming" and that was about it. Spoiler: nothing could excite me more than those beers did. I was just hoping for some distraction.

The Plot: A Modern Take on an Old Classic

So, here’s the deal: Snow White (Zegler) is born into a tragic backstory—her parents die, and the Evil Queen (Gadot) takes over. But Snow White’s not just any princess. She's out here trying to bring equality to a kingdom in desperate need of a hero. The plot moves like a half-baked social justice project. It’s about equality, but with the oddball addition of Snow White doing the whole “rebel princess” thing with a sassy spin.

Oh, and speaking of sassy—let's not forget those dwarfs! Disney made some interesting choices, using CGI instead of actual dwarfs. Controversial? You bet. The CGI looks fine, but it’s not exactly necessary. Disney got some serious flack, especially from Peter Dinklage, who publicly criticized the decision. I get it—why not hire real actors when you can?

The Cast: Woke Princesses and Glam Villains

• Rachel Zegler as Snow White: Rachel Zegler, the actress who has definitely made a name for herself (remember West Side Story?), plays Snow White with an energy that’s more about modernizing the character than embodying the classic innocence. Honestly, she does fine, but there's something a little forced about her performance. Snow White as the “woke” princess who wants to fix everything? Cool, but it’s a bit much when you’re just trying to follow a fairy tale.

• Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen: Let’s talk about Gadot. Now, that casting made me raise an eyebrow. But honestly? She nails it. She’s got that regal, evil vibe down pat. When she’s being sinister, I can’t look away. But when it comes to her singing? Yikes. Stick to evil, Gal.

The Dwarfs: CGI or Bust

Now, let's dive into the controversy surrounding the dwarfs. Instead of casting real actors with dwarfism, Disney decided to use CGI. Sure, the digital dwarfs looked like something out of a high-budget video game, but the backlash was real. Peter Dinklage called out Disney, and honestly, I get why. It’s hard to ignore the fact that this could’ve been an opportunity for real actors, yet Disney opted for a CGI workaround. Big miss there, Disney.

But, okay, CGI dwarfs aside, they did look kind of cute, in that “we’re here to make you laugh and also deliver some exposition” way. The kids will probably eat it up. But for the grown-ups? It felt like a cheap trick to avoid dealing with the real issues at hand.

What I Thought About The Movie: Missed Potential

Alright, time for the truth. This movie has a solid concept, but it just... doesn’t fully deliver. The social justice messaging feels more like a buzzword bingo card than a meaningful story. Snow White spends most of her time telling us how she wants to make everything better, but we never really see it in action. Her character, like the plot, feels rushed. The movie had moments where it could’ve gone deeper into the themes of equality and fairness, but it pulled back and made it all about Snow White being the princess on a mission.

On the villain side, Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen is a highlight, but she gets one-dimensional fast. She’s just the “I'm pretty, and I want to stay pretty” type of evil. Yawn. There were no surprises, and you’re left wishing for more from a character that’s supposed to be a game-changer.

Controversy and Public Reception: Snow White Sparks Drama

Let’s talk about the controversy this film stirred up. Beyond the casting of Zegler and the CGI dwarfs, the movie made waves for its approach to modernizing the Snow White story. Some critics feel that making Snow White a more wokecharacter just distracted from the story. Others thought the film had “too much message” and not enough magic.

It’s not just critics, either. Audiences aren’t fully on board. The film has a mixed reception online, where people either love or hate the direction Disney’s going with these remakes. Some are applauding the fresh take, while others wish they’d just stuck to the classic formula.

The Pacing: A Little Too Much, A Little Too Little

At 1 hour and 50 minutes, this movie isn’t exactly a long ride, but it feels long. The pacing drags at times, especially when it’s setting up Snow White’s “I’m here to save the day” moment. Meanwhile, the action-packed parts feel rushed—like they were trying to cram in some excitement just so we wouldn’t notice the long gaps of exposition.

Final Verdict: Good, But Not Great

Ultimately, Disney’s Snow White (2025) is a missed opportunity. It tries to modernize the tale and make it relevant, but it’s a bit too heavy-handed with its messages, and not quite enough on storytelling. The cast does what it can with the material, but Zegler’s Snow White doesn’t hold a candle to classic Disney heroines.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 10 stars)

Would I recommend it? Only if you’ve got a kid who needs a distraction or you're really into CGI dwarfs. Would I watch it again? Nah, but I’d consider rewatching the 1937 classic for a dose of true magic.