Snow White is a great trailer for Disney's original animated masterpiece

Disney's plan to remake classic animated films has continued for a decade, and its pace has not stopped despite facing the challenges of cultural differences. After a long wait, they have finally released a live-action version of one of their most beloved works: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

This live-action film is directed by Marc Webb, with Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot playing Snow White and the Evil Queen, respectively. The 1937 animated film was Disney's first animated feature and set the standard for subsequent works. Adjusted for inflation, it remains the highest-grossing animated film of all time, surpassing classics such as "Frozen" and "The Lion King."

However, like many of Disney's recent remakes, this film faces a dilemma: being too faithful to the original may seem pointless, while deviating from the classic text may anger audiences. In fact, this new film seems destined to spark controversy. In addition to accusations of racial discrimination against the lead actress, there are also Zegler's comments on the original film, controversies surrounding Gal Gadot's political stance, and criticisms of the portrayal of dwarfs in the film.

Of course, Disney's original animation also adapted the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale, so there is room for adaptation in the new version. The 2025 new version of "Snow White" has been enhanced in terms of plot and music. The story tells of Snow White, who loses her parents and becomes a servant under the rule of the Evil Queen. In the film, Prince Charming is recast as Jonathan, a Robin Hood-like thief, whom Snow White catches stealing potatoes in the kitchen. A shared interest in the redistribution of wealth develops between the two.

Things start to get weird when Snow White escapes the hunter and stumbles upon the cottage of the seven dwarfs. Disney avoids using the word "dwarf," but characters like Doc, Grumpy, and Dopey replicate the cartoon figures in every way, only this time using unsettling CGI technology. Instead of using real actors with dwarfism, the film uses realistic digital characters, which feels disturbing. Even stranger, there are real dwarf actors in the gang of thieves. This eclectic strategy is common in Disney's remakes, which want to appear progressive without offending anyone. The result is a strange film that is not lacking in ideas, but its execution is diluted.

Nevertheless, there is much to appreciate in this film. Rachel Zegler brings energy to the protagonist, and her singing illuminates the classic song "Whistle While You Work" and the newly created song "Waiting on a Wish." Gal Gadot showcases the charm of the Evil Queen in "All is Fair." However, the extra adaptation of "Heigh-Ho" and the rollercoaster-like scenes seem a bit redundant. The dwarfs' slapstick and sentimentality also feel tiresome.

"Snow White" is at its best when it finds its own rhythm, when it sticks to its revisionist stance, explores the relationship between the heroine and the Queen, and her recognition of the Queen's injustice. The film reaches a level of seriousness and power when the people's princess finally leads a group of peasants into the palace, although it may be reminiscent of a #resist-era female leader. Like most Disney remakes, although it is a perfectly serviceable film in itself, nothing about this film will be remembered a century or even a year from now. The original "Snow White" has endured in cultural memory because its magic and darkness are impossible to replicate in today's filmmaking culture. The new version remains an excellent trailer for the original film. "Snow White" is now in theaters.