'Snow White' review: Disney film is half-baked and underwhelming
What's the story
Mirror mirror on the wall,
Which is the most underwhelming film of them all?
Marc Webb's Snow White, starring Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler, was released on Friday amid a storm of controversies.
The film is a reimagining of the 1937 Disney classic, but can't boast the same magic that made that movie so iconic.
It's dull, underwhelming, and disappointing.
Premise
Zegler and Gadot face off in this classic tale
Zegler plays the titular princess, and in this version, her name doesn't come from her luminous skin, but from the storm of snow she braved during her birth.
Gadot plays her stepmother, the Evil Queen who will stop at nothing to get White murdered.
Andrew Burnap plays Jonathan, a rebel and White's love interest who helps her finally overthrow the tyrannical queen.
#1
Starts on shaky ground and remains that way
Snow White is almost always in a hurry to quickly, haphazardly wrap one scene and move to the next.
Sequences such as the sudden death of White's mother and the "disappearance" of her father don't hit as hard as they should and everything feels extremely rushed and contrived.
The overlong exposition in the beginning doesn't help either.
#2
We struggle to feel for the characters
Webb is unable to build a connection between us and this age-old fairy tale.
We see White get badgered and pushed over her limit, but we struggle to whip up any sympathy because we are almost never connected to her.
This also stands true for Jonathan, who represents the working class—his character is awkwardly crammed in and doesn't leave a strong impression.
#3
How many songs are too many songs?
Snow White makes the same mistake Joker 2 did last year—it's over-reliant on musical pieces and doesn't know when to give precedence to dialogues.
Each time a scene gains momentum, a musical interlude cuts it short, breaking the overall flow and disrupting the tone of the sequence.
The songs can enhance stories, but they can't fill the chasm left by weak writing.
#4
Gadot delivers a disappointing performance
Snow White struggles to balance Zegler's restrained, measured performance against Gadot's over-the-top theatrics.
The latter hams it up in almost all scenes and her painfully stilted performance drowns the movie on many occasions.
While watching her performance, I couldn't stop thinking about Lana Parrilla's memorable portrayal of the Evil Queen in the fantasy series Once Upon a Time.
Gadot, in contrast, visibly struggles.
#5
You keep waiting for the characters to develop
Snow White is also a disappointing experience because, except for the protagonist, nobody gets a satisfying character arc.
The Evil Queen remains a one-note character (and surprisingly has a limited screen time) and we know next to nothing about her subjects.
Ultimately, the climax takes a predictable and convenient route, stripped of any energy or vitality.
So much for a modern reimagining!
#6
Which factors work for the film?
Zegler gives the role her all and her scenes with Gadot are particularly the film's highlight.
Like all Disney films, the production design is top-notch, and the visuals really draw you in, especially in the first half, which is set mostly at the castle.
The costumes and cinematography also impress, especially when they're used to reflect the mood of the characters.
#7
More on the above aspect
From the beginning, we're told what to expect from White: she is fair, just, kind, and loving.
This idea, then, becomes the building block of the film and defines White's character and her interactions with other characters.
The film looks vibrant and the musical pieces—choreographed and performed neatly—help make the movie entertaining.
These scenes burst with energy and are soaked in sparkle.
Verdict
Watch if you're an ardent Disney fan; skip otherwise
Snow White is less than two hours long but feels longer because it's awkwardly paced.
Many essential sequences have been needlessly rushed, while several others (like White's first meeting with the dwarfs) refuse to wind up.
There's little magic in this mechanical film that's enjoyable in parts but doesn't ultimately come together.
2/5 stars.