By Brenna Reed

In an era where fairy tale reboots are as common as magic mirrors, Snow White (2025) arrives with the heavy task of reinventing a classic while appealing to a modern audience. Directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler as the iconic Snow White, this latest Disney adaptation blends nostalgic charm with contemporary storytelling—though not always effectively. With bold visual choices, reimagined characters, and a fresh narrative direction, the film dares to ask whether a tale as old as time can still cast a meaningful spell. But, does Snow White shine like a true classic, or does it bite off more than it can chew?

This story follows the timeless tale of Snow White, a kindhearted young princess targeted by her jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen. Ordered to be killed, Snow White escapes and finds refuge with seven dwarves in the forest. Her peace is short-lived when she falls into a deep sleep after biting into a poisoned apple. Unfortunately, the live action adaptation strays significantly from this beloved story, failing to capture the essence of the original story.

My biggest criticism of the film lies in the writing and characterization. Audiences came in expecting their favorite classic tale brought to life on the big screen. But many, myself included, left feeling deeply disappointed. The writers made the choice to drastically alter the original storyline to fit a modern narrative, which completely undermines the heart of what makes Snow White special. 

Snow White is the very first Disney princess. She is supposed to be a symbol of innocence and kindness. Attempting to modernize her character strips away that classic essence and disrupts the story’s core. Suddenly, she's portrayed as someone who doesn’t align with her original personality. And honestly, I had to ask myself, “What makes her different from any other modern princess now?” The sad answer is: not much. In trying to make her relatable, they made her forgettable. The writing didn’t honor what made Snow White unique; it reshaped her into a generic, modern archetype, which ultimately hurt both the character and the story in general.

Another major issue that absolutely needs to be addressed is how much the live-action Snow White borrows, almost too heavily, from other Disney films, both in its songs and major scenes. The musical numbers felt more like modern Broadway ballads or rehashed tunes from other recent live-action princess movies, rather than the timeless, whimsical charm we associate with the original. This film was supposed to feel like a classic, a tribute to one of Disney’s most iconic works—not just another entry in a formulaic lineup. Honestly, who wants to watch a supposed “relic” get repackaged to sound and look like every other Disney remake from the past decade?

What really caught me off guard was the final scene—where Snow White talks the guard out of killing her. That moment was exactly like it was lifted directly from the live action Aladdin, right down to the dialogue and emotional beats. I mean, it was almost identical. And yet, I haven’t seen anyone else really point that out in reviews. It’s frustrating that the film leaned so heavily on familiar material, yet lacked the confidence to embrace the original’s unique tone, music, and storytelling style. Instead of honoring its legacy, it felt like it was just trying to blend in.

Now let’s talk about the final critique—though honestly, I could go on forever. One major letdown for me was the decision to change the love interest. In the original story, we’re introduced to Prince Florian, who heroically sails through the forest, kisses Snow White, and they live happily ever after. But in this version, we get Jonathan (Played by Andrew Burnap), a thief who meets Snow White long before Prince Florian even enters the picture. This change plays back to the bigger issue: the struggle with originality. The “charming rogue falls for the princess” trope has already been done (and done better) in films like Aladdin and Tangled. And yes, both of those are Disney films. While I did appreciate that Snow White and Jonathan actually got to know each other before he randomly kissed her corpse (which is already a weird moment), the dynamic still felt tired and unoriginal.

One aspect I genuinely enjoyed (and think deserves real praise) was the cinematography. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be stunning. The visuals throughout the film were consistently impressive, but the Evil Forest scene in particular stood out to me. It was absolutely terrifying, in the best way possible. The use of shadows, dramatic lighting, and immersive special effects created a haunting atmosphere that really pulled me in. It was one of the few moments where the film’s darker tone felt fully realized. The cinematography helped elevate the story, giving it a sense of depth that made it feel more than just a remake. It felt like its own experience. While I exchanged some negative thoughts about the characters, I can’t deny that visually, this film delivered.

In general, Snow White (2025) had the potential to reintroduce a timeless story to a new generation, but it stumbled in its attempt to modernize a classic. While the visuals were undeniably breathtaking and certain scenes showed creativity, the heart of the original story was lost. By changing core characters, recycling overused tropes, and borrowing heavily from other Disney films, the movie failed to carve out a distinct identity for itself. Rather than feeling like a tribute to Disney’s first princess, it felt like another generic remake struggling to stay relevant. And that’s the real shame—because Snow White isn’t just any fairy tale. It’s the fairy tale that started it all. And this version, despite all its glitter and polish, never quite captured that magic.