Chris Beauchamp

Snow White (2025) - A Modern Retelling That Misses the Mark The 2025 live-action adaptation of Snow White was always going to face an uphill battle, trying to balance the charm of the 1937 animated masterpiece with modern societal perspectives. Despite being aware of the controversy surrounding the film, I approached it with an open mind, aiming to enjoy it for what it was. Singing and Music: The film leans heavily into its musical aspect, perhaps a bit too much for my personal taste. That being said, Rachel Zegler’s singing voice is undeniably beautiful, and I’m sure many will appreciate the vocal talent on display. Personally, I found the frequent songs disrupted the flow of the story rather than enhancing it. Plot and Storytelling: The plot stumbles along with a strong-willed Snow White attempting to convince her wicked stepmother following the tragic loss of both her parents that the Queen should share her wealth with their suffering subjects, just as the King did. This concept, although noble, comes off as muddled when the Queen responds that the people want a diamond instead of a rose. I'm sure they would, oh and an apple pie. (Not the McDonald's variety but I can guarantee you're thinking of one right now) Characters and Performances: Gal Gadot, although undeniably a contender for “fairest of them all,” lacks the menacing presence needed for the Evil Queen. Her portrayal, with wild-eyed antics and a bumbling song piece, makes her come across more like a petulant spouse than a genuinely sinister antagonist. A Miss Trunchbull type character would have been far more menacing. Snow White’s encounter with the film’s stand-in for the classic prince, a Robin Hood-type character caught pinching potatoes from the palace, feels forced and awkward. After being caught and randomly tied to a gate for a few minutes, Snow White quickly frees him, and he scarpers back to the forest. CGI and Visual Effects: The CGI portrayal of the dwarfs has stirred controversy, particularly among the dwarfism community, but as far as technical quality goes, it’s just standard CGI, nothing exceptionally good or bad. It doesn’t look out of place, the dwarves were likeable characters though it certainly doesn’t evoke the magic of the original animated film. Supporting Characters: Instead of the traditional prince, we get a vagabond, Robin Hood-type hero leading a politically correct group of merry men and women of all shapes and sizes, fighting in the late king’s name. It’s a bit confusing, trying to convey that Snow White doesn’t need a knight in shining armor yet he takes an arrow for her (not a euphemism). Unfortunately, despite nearing death, she doesn’t even notice until one of the merry people, points it out later. Thank God they did or we may have never got the cheesy Boyzone manifested cringe fest song at the end of the scene. Final Thoughts: The film hits most of the classic story beats, dwarfs, a poisoned apple, and true love’s kiss, however the final moments, however, feel weak and unfulfilling, as though the film doesn’t quite know how to tie up the loose ends. In the end, Snow White (2025) is an ambitious attempt to modernise a beloved tale, but it often falls flat, leaving audiences with a muddled plot, awkward character dynamics, and an overall sense of missed potential.