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Is Snow White any good?

I watched Snow White (2025), the live action musical starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot and directed by Marc Webb, and I had a good time watching it. Based on the critics and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes you’d think this movie was trash, but I would disagree. Within the muddled messes there is a gem that I don’t think people are being completely fair in admitting.

Let’s compare the negatives with the positives and highlight a few improvements that Disney should consider for their live-action film.

As a quick aside, here is a short list of upcoming films in spring 2025.

Upcoming Films in Theaters Spring 2025

• A Minecraft Movie (April 4)

• The Amateur (April 11)

• Warfare (April 11)

• Sinners (April 18)

• Sneaks (April 18)

• The Wedding Banquet (April 18)

• The Legend of Ochi (April 25)

• Thunderbolts (May 2)

• Lilo & Stitch (May 23)

The Lowlights: Where Snow White Stumbles

An Overabundance of Songs

I know, I know, this is a musical. I love musicals! I really really do. From the best of all time, Fiddler On The Roof, to one that I love, but most people hate, Cats (2019). I love musicals, but you don’t always need lots of songs or wall-to-wall music for a musical to be successful. Especially if the songs are not fantastic! And that’s the bar Disney has to start setting. If the song is not fantastic, then you fill in the scene with dialogue and action.

Erin Cressida Wilson, the screenplay writer of the film, is a good writer, and so I wonder if there was a push and pull struggle within the creative team from the song writers to force more song and dance when there didn’t need to be. For instance, the second act of the movie was filled with ho-hum songs like, “Princess Problems” and “A Hand Meets A Hand”, that were not needed and removed important character building moments that I was actually looking forward to at that time in the film. I also will never forget the eternal groan that I heard in the movie theater when the character Jonathan, (played by Andrew Burnap), started to sing out of nowhere.

Not My Queen

Gal Gadot embodies the visual perfection of the Evil Queen with her commanding presence and striking appearance, but her vocal performance lacks the menacing depth the character demands. Her signature song "All Is Fair" could have been a standout villain anthem with a performer whose vocal abilities matched the sinister requirements of the role. This highlights an important lesson for musical casting: the voice must match the visual.

Costume Design Inconsistencies

The costume department clearly poured their creativity into the Evil Queen's wardrobe, creating memorable and visually stunning ensembles. Unfortunately, this focus came at the expense of other characters' costumes, which appear underwhelming by comparison. A fairy tale world demands consistent visual magic throughout.

People have forgotten how to write a G/PG rated love story

The last ten years of family films have often struggled to portray romantic relationships with the innocence and charm that made classic Disney love stories memorable. The romance in Snow White feels obligatory rather than organic, lacking the genuine emotional connection that should form the heart of this timeless tale. To be fair to the actors involved, they did their best to overcome the circumstances that they were put in, but imagine if their acting was combined with great scenes. This reflects a broader challenge in contemporary G/PG filmmaking, which is to find the balance between modern sensibilities and timeless romantic storytelling.

Like, Wall-E the movie came out in 2008. Did we not learn anything from that film? Subtle, yet intentional markings of romance with the innocence of constant rejection that build into eternal longing is how we should be demonstrating remarkable romances in these family films. Snow White and Jonathan could've been so much more besides just relying on the kiss.

Kill Your Villain

The third act resolution really could have been re-worked to be even more compelling. Snow White’s red-caped entrance into the village was amazing and then it was destroyed by a random character, and I know not really random, but it still felt random, picking up a ten year-old flower bouquet and putting them on their head and just singing without any context at all. I was mortified and the theater was laughing along with me. And then, to have the evil queen hold a knife to her stomach while our protagonist has the power to end her villain and not go through with it without any context or reasoning looked so weak.

The Wonderful Potential of Snow White

Rachel Zegler's Stellar Performance

Zegler proves to be the film's greatest asset, bringing both vocal talent and emotional depth to the iconic princess. Her performance creates moments of genuine magic that remind viewers why this story has endured for generations. Her interpretation balances traditional Disney princess qualities with a contemporary self-awareness that feels authentic rather than forced.

Rachel’s singing is outstanding as we already knew it could be based on her work in 2021’s West Side Story, but when she sings, “Waiting On A Wish”, I am amazed! Her volume and control are a powerful combination and you can even see her tearing up as Rachel sings throughout the song, making the execution of that sequence even more emotional compelling. You almost want to stand up in the theater, burst out of your seat, and sing along with her.

If I could caution Rachel Zegler in anyway for her future projects, that though I am glad she has the confidence to speak her mind, Rachel’s work is stellar and I want that to be more of the focus of people’s attention.

Musical Bright Spots

Despite the overabundance of songs, two new compositions stand out as worthy additions to the Disney canon. “Good Things Grow“ and “Waiting On A Wish”, these moments demonstrate what the entire soundtrack could have achieved with more restraint and focus on quality over quantity.

The Seven Dwarfs Reimagined

The dwarfs receive a thoughtful update that honors the spirit of the original characters while giving them more distinct personalities and meaningful roles in the story. Their interactions with Snow White provide some of the film's most heartwarming and humorous moments. And in a way all of the dwarves get to shine in this adaptation of the story more than any other I’ve witnessed. Doc is smart but humble, Grumpy is angry but logical, Happy is so glad to be here, Bashful is adorable, Sneezy is still kind of disgusting, Sleepy gets a lot of time as the comedic relief, and Dopey nearly steals the show with his charm and delight. There’s also a very special moment in the film that I will not spoil pertaining to one of the dwarves.

World-Building Potential

The film lays groundwork for a richer fairy tale universe with intriguing hints about Snow White's family history and the kingdom's past. However, it relies too heavily on exposition rather than visual storytelling. Future Disney adaptations would benefit from showing these crucial backstory elements rather than merely referencing them.

In the 2009 "Star Trek" film directed by J.J. Abrams, the death of James Kirk's father, George Kirk, is portrayed in a powerful opening sequence rather than being relegated to exposition. The film begins with the USS Kelvin under attack by Nero's Romulan vessel. As acting captain after the death of his superior, George Kirk orders the evacuation of the ship, including his pregnant wife who is in labor with James. In a heart-wrenching moment that establishes the emotional foundation of the film, George remains aboard to manually pilot the Kelvin on a collision course with Nero's ship, sacrificing himself to buy time for the escape shuttles. During his final moments, he communicates with his wife via comm system, hearing the first cries of his newborn son and naming him before impact. This visceral, visual portrayal of George's heroic sacrifice serves as a powerful contrast to James Kirk's initial aimlessness and creates a legacy that looms over the character throughout the film. Rather than simply telling the audience about this pivotal event, the film shows it in full emotional detail, making George Kirk's absence a felt presence that shapes his son's journey.

This needed to be done for the deaths of Snow White’s parents individually which would have emotionally anchored our protagonist’s emotional path and eventual victory. Have Snow White be at her mother’s side with a reprisal of, “Waiting On A Wish”, holding her hand and then let that be referenced later as Snow White kneels at her stepmother’s bed trying to console her after the death of the king. Allow the king’s death to be more significant with a secret message being delivered directly from the king to the dwarves as they await the day that may help secure Snow White’s throne.

Thematic Resonance

Despite its flaws, the film succeeds in exploring meaningful themes about family legacy, with powerful moments centered around Snow White reclaiming her father's house and honoring her heritage. Lines like "my father's daughter" and "this is my father's house" carry emotional weight that connects with viewers. Those lines inspire positive Biblical themes from the creation of the temple in the Pentateuch and from Jesus’s overturning of the tables in the Gospels.

Snow White’s love of her father and wanting to fulfill the promise of her mother and father’s vision for her was so well done with key dialogue sprinkled throughout the film that tied us back to the heavenly beginnings of the story.

A Vision of Harmony

The film presents an inclusive and harmonious society that feels both aspirational and accessible, a positive vision for younger viewers that doesn't come across as heavy-handed messaging. Go and listen to, “Good Things Grow”, and you’ll hear how utopian the lives of the citizens were under the merciful rule of original King and Queen. A wonderful perspective that felt very practical.

Conclusion

There is really good light here in Snow White and though as an adult, I can see the flaws, children most likely will love this film. It’s not “woke”, being awake is a good thing and the movie is not preachy, and really brings joy at times which is really the most important aspect of a Disney Princess film.