Snow White Review: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot Are Woefully Miscast

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In 1937, Walt Disney Productions created the first U.S.-produced animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which won both critics and audiences over and set the stage for more Disney magic to unfold for decades. Their films became a significant part of many childhoods across generations. Fast-forward to 2025, Disney is spearheading a current trend of sequels and live-action adaptations of their classic animated stories. In an ever-changing Hollywood environment, they’ve discovered solace in leveraging intellectual property (IP), using our nostalgia to produce films that, while profitable, may not fully capture the original magic: thus, Snow White.

Redoing any timeless film is daring, yet Disney appears determined to milk every ounce of value from their most iconic productions. Transforming the first hand-drawn animated feature into live action might seem safe, but the nerve to attempt such a feat deserves praise. The original film is so flawless that it’s a tough act to match, and here we are, facing another remake that mirrors previous ones in structure. When successful, it delivers effectively. They modernize and broaden the narrative to align with contemporary values. However, when unsuccessful, it leaves you longing for the original instead.

In this telling, our tale unfolds much like before, starting with an enchanting storybook opening and a narrator setting the scene. The narrative follows Snow White, played by Rachel Zegler, a character we’ve grown to love from childhood tales. This film masterfully expands on the familiar narrative, yet it stands out due to its rich exploration of Snow White’s background, particularly her ties with her birth parents and her complex relationship as the stepdaughter of an enchantingly wicked queen (Gal Gadot). While many live-action films have reimagined the Brothers Grimm’s classic story, this production bears a strong resemblance to the 1937 Disney adaptation, all while offering fresh insights into Snow White’s past.

The movie includes several fresh tunes, beginning with an impressive number titled “Good Things Grow.” Upon listening to it, I couldn’t help but notice its resemblance to “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman’s soundtrack. However, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who are renowned songwriters in Hollywood, often show signs of self-plagiarism, and this tune seems like a repetition of their past work. They also compose an “I Want” song for Snow White named “Waiting on a Wish,” another strong piece. Overall, the songs written by Pasek & Paul along with lyricist Jack Feldman in this film offer some of the finest original tunes among any live-action Disney remakes (the music from The Little Mermaid didn’t quite hit the mark).

Let’s delve into a topic that’s been on everyone’s mind: Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. Zegler has had a meteoric rise in the acting world, with roles ranging from a Steven Spielberg-directed musical to a DC superhero movie, a Hunger Games film, and an A24 comedy. Her agent must be thinking about a promotion! However, the question remains: is she suitable for the role of Snow White? The answer isn’t always straightforward. There are instances where she captures the right spirit, but there are also moments when her acting comes off as overly calculated, bordering on feeling like a carefully crafted performance rather than natural emotion.

In a casual manner, you might say: Zegler exudes an enchanting Disney princess vibe that’s hard to miss, if you’re not too focused. Her vocal talent, showcased frequently in her career, is remarkable, making her one of the best singers in Hollywood. She truly shines with her voice in this movie. At times, due to her looks, acting, and costume, it seems less like we’re watching a real Disney princess and more like someone in a Halloween Snow White costume.

Let’s discuss Gal Gadot now. While she’s known for popular roles like Wonder Woman and the Fast & Furious series, she sometimes receives criticism due to some less-than-perfect line deliveries that become viral on Twitter. Every few months, her acting abilities are questioned by the cultural zeitgeist. This role was an opportunity to change perceptions, but it doesn’t quite do that. Her portrayal is over-the-top evil, and while she seems to be putting in a lot of effort, there are some moments that are comical. I appreciate her dedication, but there are instances where she falls short and even elicits laughter. Interestingly, she gets a Disney villain song, but it’s unclear why they would give one to someone who isn’t known for singing.

In this movie, the Evil Queen convincingly portrays an old, unattractive woman – a performance I believe to be one of Gal Gadot’s finest. This scene showcases her remarkable acting ability because it’s the first time we see her step outside her usual look and voice. It’s here that her potential talent truly shines through.

In this fresh adaptation, Snow White’s prince undergoes a significant transformation. Unlike the original version where he was merely a fleeting presence at the beginning and end, saving Snow White, this film introduces a more fleshed-out male character. Instead of being a prince, he is now a local rebel and thief named Jonathan. Andrew Burnap brings him to life convincingly, similar to how Jonah Hauer-King did for Prince Eric in the Little Mermaid remake. However, unlike the enchanting chemistry between Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King, I didn’t feel a strong connection between Zegler and Burnap; they seemed more like actors portraying a romance rather than two individuals genuinely falling for each other.

In this film, Snow White and Jonathan’s scenes often unfold within a forest during daylight hours. However, some of these scenes seem to lack the visual appeal one would expect from a movie production, resembling a made-for-TV production instead. Despite having stunning sequences, the forest scenes appear rather dull for a film of this scale. It’s intriguing that such key aspects as romantic chemistry and captivating cinematography are seemingly absent in a Marc Webb project. Given his previous works like 500 Days of Summer, which I adore, and the two Spider-Man movies featuring Andrew Garfield, all of which were richly endowed with these elements, it’s perplexing why this film falls short in that regard.

I’d like to discuss another aspect related to the choice of using CGI for the dwarf characters instead of hiring real-life little people. The roles for individuals with short stature in Hollywood are already scarce, so replacing them with computer-generated imagery (CGI) feels problematic. This issue is exacerbated when the CGI isn’t seamless and stands out glaringly, much like a sore thumb. It’s hard to believe that Disney spent millions on visual effects (VFX), motion capture actors, and voice actors for this decision. What they should have done was cast more real-life little people. The only one they did cast was Martin Klebba. However, it’s perplexing because there’s another supporting character in the film who is played by a little person, suggesting that perhaps the creators wanted to emphasize that the unhygienic dwarves working in mines and living together are not representative of all little people.

In this fantasy setting where a princess sings, dances, and interacts with animals, it appears excessive to demand realistic portrayals of the dwarfs. After all, the main focus is not on authenticity in this case. Yet, considering how beloved these dwarf characters are in both the original film and the current one, introducing new ones could have been a refreshing twist. It might have provided more roles for actors of short stature, fostering opportunities in the industry. Regrettably, that chance has passed. If you’re interested in seeing such a casting, I recommend Mirror Mirror (2012), starring Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, and a talented ensemble of little people, including Martin Klebba.

As a devoted fan, I must say that Disney’s latest animal animation is truly impressive! They’ve managed to strike a perfect balance between keeping the animals expressive and maintaining a touch of realism in their live-action remakes. The dance choreography is particularly commendable, with “Whistle While You Work” still enchanting audiences just as it did before. It’s clear that Webb’s background in music videos has contributed significantly to this film, but nothing can compare to the original, where every action seemed to be a part of a harmonious musical soundscape. Regrettably, this movie doesn’t quite capture that magic.

In Erin Cressida Wilson’s screenplay, there are several intriguing concepts presented. It occasionally provides humor, and while I believe the original movie is perfect as it stands, exploring Snow White’s romantic interest in a love story is a thoughtful decision. However, certain aspects seem misplaced too. The film introduces elements concerning Snow White’s father that don’t lead to anything engaging. Additionally, the finale departs significantly from the original version, resulting in an anticlimactic ending. There was potential for a more extravagant and thrilling conclusion, but instead, this movie features a lengthy dialogue scene that fails to live up to its intended impact.

Live-Action Snow White Review: Final Verdict

In summary, this Disney live-action adaptation isn’t the poorest one out there. Compared to Mulan and The Little Mermaid, it ranks slightly higher. Unlike The Lion King, it introduces some fresh concepts and skillfully blends the familiar elements into something innovative. However, it only achieves that partially. By the conclusion, Snow White may not be the most beautiful remake in all aspects.

SCORE: 5/10

According to the review guidelines on ComingSoon, a rating of 5 signifies “Average” or “Mediocre.” In this case, the film’s strengths and weaknesses balance out, resulting in an overall neutral evaluation.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Snow White review.

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2025-03-19 22:12