The Disney live-action remake of Snow White has been mired in controversy for the past three years. From Rachel Zegler’s politically correct slamming of the 1937 animation to set photos of the seven dwarfs being reimagined as a diverse group, it wasn’t long before the blockbuster was being dubbed “Snow Woke.”
Now, as cancelled premieres scale back the film’s promotion, critics who haven’t even seen the movie have been louder and more brash than ever. Well, we have seen it, and it’s clear Disney has finally listened to its fans rather than doubling down on the identity politics guff that makes the vast majority of audiences switch off.
On one level, it shouldn’t be too surprising that changes have seemingly been made. In late 2023, Snow White was delayed an entire year after former Disney boss Bob Iger returned to steady the company ship following a string of box office misfires from Strange World to Lightyear, which faced huge anti-woke backlash.
It also wasn’t long before Zegler U-turned on her previous comments soon after the film was delayed – an announcement that was accompanied by the first-look image at the seven CGI dwarfs. Hmm… what happened to the seven politically correct persons snapped on set? Well, it turns out that they’re also in the movie…
Disney live-action remakes have been hit and miss in recent years and with all the negative buzz around Snow White we were prepared to cringe. Yet Marc Webb’s reimagining is a welcome surprise, full of enchantment and joyous new songs from The Greatest Showman’s Pasek and Paul, who add to the already iconic Heigh-Ho and Whistle While you Work. This fabulous musical with colourful setpieces had us beaming throughout, as Zegler showed off her impressive vocals with no sign of this “girl boss” Snow White some critics had expected. Instead, her princess is generally true to the fairy tale as a kind and humble young maiden who helps the dwarfs as friends, rather than bossing them around as some feared she might. Speaking of which, the CGI magical creatures are amusing enough and particularly shine through their energetic musical numbers, just as Gal Gadot’s jewel-encrusted Evil Queen does too. Sadly, there’s not enough of either, as their screen time is taken up with the unnecessary modern updating of Prince Charming.
Remember those seven companions spotted in set photos? They’re a group of bandits led by Andrew Burlap’s new character, Jonathan. Considering the year-long delay, could the original plan have been to have this diverse group and none of the seven dwarfs, especially considering they were removed from the film’s title? Whatever the case, they’re pretty pointless and lame. As is disenchanting Prince Charming down to Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men (+ woman and dwarf). Meanwhile, the only particularly politically correct moment remaining comes from Jonathan rather than Snow White, as he asserts that he isn’t a knight in shining armour come to save her. Yet that doesn’t stop him giving the princess the (shock) non-consensual kiss of resurrection, after she eats the poison apple. It seems even Disney, infamous in the 21st century for all its progressive pandering, couldn’t get around the most famous moment in the fairy tale.
But hey, hats off to Disney who have clearly listened to fans, haven’t doubled down and are clearly more focused on just telling a good story. Sure, it’s a bit too long in places, but despite the few modern updates, it’s easily one of the best entries into the live-action canon, full of wonder and joy. Let’s just hope the House of Mouse continues to put politics aside and keep focused on its historic storytelling legacy going forward.
Snow White is released in UK cinemas on March 21, 2025.
