By Hannah Wolke, Staff Writer

The new live-action “Snow White” movie starring Rachel Zegler has stirred up a lot of conversation, and not just because of its differences from the classic 1937 animated film. 

From casting choices to the portrayal of familiar characters, this adaptation offers a fresh take on the beloved fairy tale. As someone who has a deep connection to the original, I went into the film with a mix of excitement and skepticism since Snow White is a very hard story to adapt, unlike a story like Cinderella. 

One of the most notable changes from the original is that this time, Snow White doesn’t wait for a prince to come — nor does she sing “Someday My Prince Will Come” from the original movie. Instead, her love interest is a bandit named Jonathan, played by Andrew Burnap. While this shift is significant, I believe it doesn’t completely erase Snow White’s desire for love. At her core, she wanted love because she didn’t receive it from her stepmother, the Evil Queen. 

Zegler is an incredibly talented actress and fits the age bracket for the character decently well. There was quite a bit of backlash when it was announced that she would portray Snow White, mainly because she’s not white. 

Zegler, whose mother is of Colombian descent and father of Polish descent, brings a fresh perspective to the role. While some argue they could’ve cast a white actress, I understand why Disney chose Zegler. First, it’s important to give a Latina woman the opportunity to play a Disney princess. Secondly, Zegler’s acting and vocal talents are undeniable.

That said, Snow White’s traditional voice — a light, high soprano — is not the style Zegler is most known for. Her mezzo-soprano belt voice, though incredible, doesn’t match the original characterization of Snow White, who is known for her high, delicate whistle tone. In Snow White’s new song, “Waiting on a Wish,” we get a more modernized version of Snow White’s musical style. It’s a beautiful song, but it doesn’t quite capture the essence of the Snow White character from the 1930s. Still, I love Zegler’s voice and the work of composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

As for the Prince, I found the casting underwhelming. There was no real chemistry between him and Zegler, especially when Snow White was at her most vulnerable. Unfortunately, the dynamic felt flat and disconnected.

Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen, but she wasn’t the right choice for the role. Her performance didn’t come across as menacing, and her lack of singing ability made the character feel less impactful. Someone with more acting and vocal range like Meryl Streep would have been a better fit for the part.

The decision to make most of the dwarfs CGI was another disappointment. It would’ve been more authentic and respectful to cast actors with Dwarfism. There are many talented performers in the community who are often overlooked in Hollywood.

On a positive note, the world-building in this film was stunning, from the CGI to the real set designs. The forest and the animals were particularly beautiful. However, I was disappointed by Snow White’s costume. While Disney is known for gorgeous gowns, her dress felt bland compared to other recent live-action adaptations. Her wig also left much to be desired — it gave off Lord Farquaad vibes.

While this isn’t my favorite Disney live-action movie by any means, I truly appreciated Zegler’s performance. The film took some creative liberties, and while not all of them worked for me, I still enjoyed watching it, especially after revisiting the original.