Disney’s 2025 Snow White Delivers Stunning Visuals but Struggles to Breathe New Life into a Classic Tale

Disney’s 2025 Snow White attempts to reimagine the classic story for a new generation, staying faithful to its animated roots with a few modern updates. While the live-action adaptation preserves much of the original charm, complete with dwarves, witches, and woodland creatures, it struggles to establish a fresh identity. Despite a clear effort to respect the timeless narrative, the film ultimately fails to create enough excitement to pull audiences back to the theaters.

Strong Lead Performance Cannot Save a Thin Story and an Underwhelming Villain Arc

Rachel Zegler shines as the titular princess, embodying Snow White’s grace and warmth while delivering strong vocal performances. Her portrayal brings heart to the story, making the most of the limited material given to her. However, Gal Gadot’s turn as the Evil Queen is less impressive; her performance lacks depth, and the attempts to explore her character’s backstory fall flat. While Gadot’s transformation into the “old hag” is visually convincing, her villainous presence never feels as compelling as it should.

Although the movie stays largely true to the original plot, its few alterations feel superficial and fail to add meaningful layers. The story remains thin, and the adaptation’s changes—including an attempted reimagining of Snow White’s quest—lack the emotional weight needed to elevate the film. The finale, in particular, tries to infuse new purpose into the tale but ultimately misses the mark, feeling more like window dressing than a bold reinterpretation.

Stunning Visuals, Uncanny Dwarves, and a Soundtrack That Tries to Lift the Story

The visual presentation is a mixed experience. While the CG forest animals are impressively lifelike and enchanting, the Seven Dwarves fall deep into the Uncanny Valley. Their odd, unsettling design detracts from the film’s overall aesthetic and highlights the production’s inconsistency in balancing tradition and innovation. It’s a puzzling choice, especially considering how natural and beautiful the woodland creatures appear by contrast.

The soundtrack offers a bright spot, with strong reimaginings of beloved classics like “Whistle While You Work” and lively new songs such as “Waiting on a Wish.” Though the music alone isn’t enough to save the movie, it showcases Disney’s enduring knack for creating catchy tunes. Snow White ultimately feels more tailored for very young viewers, missing opportunities to deepen its story for a broader audience. While it has its charming moments, the film earns a modest 2.5 out of 5 stars, landing in theaters on March 21st.