Okay movie lovers get ready to dive into the drama surrounding Disney's new Snow White movie. This live-action remake of the classic cartoon should be a guaranteed hit right? Well not so fast. Even before it hits theaters this movie has become a magnet for all kinds of controversy and chatter. Let's unpack what's going on with this hotly debated film.
Snow White Under Scrutiny: A Breakdown of the Controversies Plaguing Disney's Remake
You would not believe how much buzz even negative buzz this movie is generating . It seems like everything from casting choices to comments from the stars has stirred up strong reactions. It's like every aspect of Snow White is under a microscope. Let's break down the main points of debate:
- Casting Rachel Zegler: When Rachel Zegler who is of Colombian heritage was cast as Snow White some people were not happy. There were complaints that a Latina actress should not play a character named "Snow White". This sparked discussions about representation and traditional fairy tale casting.
- Political Comments: Both lead actresses have faced backlash for their political views. Rachel Zegler expressed pro-Palestine views online which led to some criticism. Gal Gadot who plays the Evil Queen has been openly pro-Israel and defended her country which also led to calls for boycotts from some groups. It's a tricky situation when actors' personal views become intertwined with a film.
- The Dwarf Debate: Remember the Seven Dwarfs? That's been another major point of contention. Peter Dinklage a well-known actor with dwarfism criticized the original story as "backwards". Disney responded by saying they would take a "different approach" to the seven characters. In the end the seven companions are CGI "magical creatures" rather than dwarfs which has upset some actors with dwarfism who feel they have lost out on acting opportunities.
- "Wokeness" Accusations: From early comments by Rachel Zegler about the original Snow White being outdated to updates in the storyline the remake has been labeled "woke" by some online commentators. These accusations often center around changes to traditional fairy tale elements and perceived shifts in Disney's storytelling approach.
All this controversy has even affected the movie's premiere. Disney changed the usual red carpet event for the Hollywood premiere opting for a more low-key pre-party and screening. Some speculate this is an attempt to minimize potential protests or negative media attention given all the surrounding debates.
First Reactions Emerge: Is Snow White Actually Good?
Despite all the controversy initial reactions to Snow White after the premiere are starting to trickle in and they are surprisingly positive. Some early viewers are calling it a "visual feast" and praising Rachel Zegler's performance as Snow White.
Here is a snapshot of some first reactions:
- Visual Feast: Many are using terms like "dazzling" and "visual feast" to describe the movie's look and style.
- Rachel Zegler Praised: Reviewers are calling Zegler a "shining supernova" and praising her "magical performance" as Snow White.
- Musical Numbers Stand Out: The film features new songs by the team behind La La Land and early reactions highlight the musical numbers particularly the opening song and the Evil Queen's song as being strong.
- Recaptures Magic: Some are saying the remake actually captures the magic of the original 1937 animated film.
- One of Disney's Best Remakes?: A few early reactions are even calling Snow White one of Disney's best live-action remakes in years.
However not all is completely perfect. Some viewers are less impressed with the CGI dwarfs calling them "baffling" and the weakest part of the film. But overall the initial buzz is more positive than negative which might surprise some given all the pre-release drama.
Updating a Classic: Key Changes in the New Snow White Story
Disney is clearly aiming to update the Snow White story for a modern audience. Here are some of the notable changes being highlighted:
- Snow White's Backstory: In this version Snow White's name is explained differently. Instead of "skin as white as snow" her name comes from surviving a snowstorm as a baby emphasizing her resilience.
- Focus Beyond Romance: The remake is shifting away from the traditional "prince saves the princess" narrative. Snow White's journey is more about self-discovery and becoming a leader. Her goals are not solely focused on finding true love.
- Redefined Prince: Rachel Zegler herself has described the original Prince Charming as a "stalker" joking about the outdated nature of that aspect of the fairy tale. The new movie is expected to present a more updated and less central role for the prince figure.
- Magical Creatures Instead of Dwarfs: To address concerns about stereotypes the seven companions are now "magical creatures" created with CGI rather than dwarfs. They still retain the names of the original dwarfs (Happy Grumpy etc.) but their visual representation is different.
These changes are clearly intended to make the story more relevant and empowering for contemporary viewers though they are also a source of much debate among fans of the original.
Box Office Predictions and the Weight of Expectations
Despite some positive early buzz box office predictions for Snow White are somewhat moderate. Current projections estimate an opening weekend around $50 million which is decent but not blockbuster level for a big Disney film . The movie reportedly cost over $200 million to produce and promote so it needs to perform well to be considered a success.
It remains to be seen if the controversies surrounding the film will hurt its box office performance or if the Disney brand and the enduring appeal of Snow White will still draw audiences. Disney has had massive hits recently like Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King but Snow White's path to success may be more complicated.
Will Snow White Be a Victim of Its Moment?
The question on everyone's mind is whether Snow White will overcome the negativity and become a hit or if it will be "a victim of its moment" as some have speculated. The movie is certainly arriving in a very polarized social and political climate and it has become a focal point for many of these divides.
Ultimately the success of Snow White will depend on whether audiences connect with the updated story Rachel Zegler's performance and if the film can deliver the visual and musical magic that Disney is known for. It's a fairy tale facing a real-world challenge and the outcome is still unwritten. Snow White releases internationally on March 21st so we will soon see how this story unfolds.