Disney’s live-action remakes often attempt to balance nostalgia with modern sensibilities. While some efforts like “Cinderella” (2015) and “Pete’s Dragon” (2016) have been warmly received, others, such as “Mulan” (2020) and “The Lion King” (2019), left audiences yearning for the magic of their animated predecessors.
Marc Webb’s “Snow White” follows the same path, revisiting Disney’s 1937 animated classic that laid the foundation of the studio’s legacy. Starring Rachel Zegler, the film attempts to offer a contemporary twist, providing Snow White with greater agency and broadening the concept of “fairness.” However, these well-meaning updates result in a film that struggles to find its identity, torn between its origins and a modern narrative.
The legacy of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” remains iconic, its success financing Disney’s Burbank studio. Yet, this adaptation’s attempt to revise outdated themes feels somewhat disjointed. While bluebirds of good intention may flutter through the story, the live-action remake ultimately lacks the charm and storytelling finesse that made the original a masterpiece.
Perhaps, for now, the fairest choice might just be a different streaming service.
