SNOW WHITE (2025) MOVIE REVIEW
The movie was just okay. I didn’t particularly enjoy it, but to be fair, I never really liked the animated version of Snow White either. That said, I don’t think this film deserves the intense backlash it has received. People should give it a chance—especially because it delivers a strong message by the end. The music is another highlight, featuring enough original compositions to classify it as a musical, though I wouldn’t necessarily label it as one.
Now, onto the core message of the film: It explores how leadership changes impact people's lives and governance styles. As an American, I feel this shift every four years. The film effectively illustrates how a new ruler’s ideology affects an entire population. The villagers, primarily farmers, thrive in a collectivist society, making the Evil Queen’s forced individualist agenda an unnatural and oppressive transition. The resolution reinforces the idea that while leadership may change, personal identity and values remain intact.
What Didn’t Work
Pacing Issues: The film moved too fast—extremely fast. I recall Snow White and the Huntsman stretching its story across two films to allow for depth. In contrast, this movie introduced extensive new details—Snow White’s parents, the king and queen, the dwarfs' magical abilities, the kingdom's history, the villagers' rebellion, and even the Queen’s army—all packed into one film. Many of those soldiers had personal backstories, explaining how they were forced into service despite preferring careers as farmers or bakers. Given the richness of this material, the movie would have benefited from being split into two parts. The original animated version also suffered from rushed pacing, which creates discomfort—it’s hard to invest in relationships when trust and emotion aren’t properly developed. This film unfortunately repeats that mistake.
The Dwarfs Controversy: Hollywood has a long-standing issue with typecasting little people, but in this case, the studio bypassed hiring them entirely, missing an opportunity to cast seven actors in meaningful roles. Instead, they opted for CGI, which costs more than hiring real performers. While Disney did hire voice actors—which typically come at a lower pay rate than live-action roles—this decision feels like a financial shortcut rather than a creative one.
The Evil Queen’s Ending: No spoilers needed—everyone knows the Queen dies in the animated film by falling off a cliff. In this version, however, she doesn’t die; she is removed from the dimension. As someone who has spent time studying magic in fiction, I found the portrayal of her fate frustratingly vague. The film failed to explain the mechanics behind her disappearance, making it feel abrupt and unsatisfying. Instead of providing a well-thought-out magical logic, the filmmakers seemed to rush into a convenient conclusion, leaving viewers feeling dismissed—as if the audience didn’t deserve to understand how the spell worked. It’s an overused and lazy way to eliminate a villain, and that lack of explanation was disappointing.
The Lasting Impression
Many viewers left the theater feeling unsettled, and I think I understand why. Visually, the film had a strange filter, and the CGI was subpar. The dialogue was rushed, creating an experience similar to a restaurant playing fast music to hurry customers out the door. The overall pacing made the film physically uncomfortable—like being stuck somewhere you want to escape. Unfortunately, that discomfort lingered until the very last scene, shaping the final impression.
If I had to recommend the movie, it would only be for the music—but then again, why watch the film when you could just listen to the soundtrack?
Author: Vera Vandal
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