Snow White is a charming update on the original Disney animated classic led by a magnificent performance from Rachel Zegler as the titular princess, that combined with a screenplay that updates the beloved fairytale for modern audiences, results in a joyful film that is going to delight Disney fans.

 

When Disney started remaking their animated classics for the live action format, it was only a matter of time before they gave the treatment to the crown jewel of their empire: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was the first feature of Walt Disney that put Disney on the map and started the path for them to become the entertainment empire they are today. While remaining true to the spirit of the original classic with the familiar broad strokes, Erin Cressida Wilson provides an update on the story that puts a new spin on the beloved fairytale for modern audiences. With catchy music numbers thanks to Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and great costume and set design when practical sets are used, Snow White is an enjoyable outing for Disney fans that succeeds thanks to the ever phenomenal lead performance of Rachel Zegler as Snow White who is absolute perfection as Disney’s original princess.

 

Being the original Disney animated classic from 1937 and based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, Snow White is a story that is ingrained in society and has been adapted many times for the screen, both large and small. Though, in 2025, you cannot do the story as it has been told before with Snow White cleaning and cooking for the Seven Dwarfs while they go off to work, sitting around waiting for her prince to come and marry her. Instead, for this live action remake, the story is reimagined with Snow White trying to reclaim her father’s kingdom from the Evil Queen and become the fair and brave ruler that her parents always knew she could be. Gone is Snow White’s Prince, replaced by Jonathan, the leader of a group of bandits who still believe in Snow White’s father, who is a Robin Hood-esque character that still acts as a love interest for Snow White. The character of Jonathan is a great match for the heroine that Snow White has been written as in this film, while still allowing for the romance to brew between them so fans will see the iconic true love’s kiss scene play out. For fans, don’t worry, we still get the iconic hallmarks of the Disney original like the poison apple, true love’s kiss awakening Snow White from her cursed slumber, and the fan favourite musical numbers “Heigh-Ho” and “Whistle While You Work”, in addition to a great easter egg for die hard Disney fans. Overall, Snow White is an admirable update on the story that captures the Disney spirit at every turn as it both pays homage to this story’s history and situates it in today’s acceptable societal views. 

 

Even if you are not a fan of the film as a whole, there is no denying that Zegler is sensational every second she is on screen as Snow White. Leading the film with confidence, charm and tenderness, Zegler perfectly embodies the essence of a Disney Princess throughout her performance, while empowering Snow White as the hero of her own story that creates a role model for young girls of all ages. Displaying her character’s defining traits of fairness, bravery, and kindness in spades, it’s impossible to take your eyes of Zegler who continues to prove herself one of the best young actresses in the business. While sharing the screen with the Seven Dwarfs, Zegler dazzles and captures the childhood nostalgia of the original Disney classic, and never for a second disappointing in the musical numbers and unleashes her untouchable singing voice. It’s the performance that many would describe as a star-making performance, but following in her critically acclaimed work in both West Side Story (2021) and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, it only confirms Zegler as a true movie star and that she was born to be a Disney Princess.

 

Given how incredible Zegler is as Snow White, the bar is set incredibly high for the rest of the film’s cast, and unfortunately the majority of them do not come close to matching Zegler. Andrew Burnap is good as Jonathan whose romantic connection with Zegler is sweet, his singing vocals aren’t bad, but he is overpowered by Zegler in every scene. Ansu Kabia is rather wooden as the Huntsman, failing to create the danger in the scene where he is tasked with killing Snow White, and again paling next to Zegler. Luckily, the voice performances from Jeremy Swift, Andrew Barth Feldman, Tituss Burgess, Martin Klebba, Jason Kravits, George Salazar and Andy Grotelueschen are wonderful and effortlessly bring to life each of the Seven Dwarfs, and are the only ones who are able to match charm and joy that Zegler brings to the film, most notably during “Whistle While You Work.” 

Then there is Gal Gadot. While Gadot nails the menacing stare of the Evil Queen and the delivery of her iconic line “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?” is excellent, that’s where the strengths of her performance abruptly ends. Everything else Gadot does is an extreme case of overacting that is terribly out of place, causing her scenes to nearly derail the film. And when she starts singing, it is clear that she should never be allowed to sing in another movie musical. It’s disappointing as Gadot had the potential to be good in the role, and sadly the actress who brought Wonder Woman so brilliantly to life on screen is nowhere to be found in this film. Though, it does feel like poetic justice to see Zegler acting circles around Gadot in their scenes together as Snow White’s goodness is destined to overcome the Evil Queen by the end of the film.