Snow White vs Snow White: FILM-OFF #3

Article by Robbie Fleming

I haven’t done one of these Film-Offs since January, but I used to do them frequently on my old website. Funnily enough, the very first one I ever did was about a remake starring Rachel Zegler—so it feels fitting that my first one for Keziah Hyde Media also focuses on a Zegler-led remake.

For this inaugural Old vs New piece for Keziah Hyde Media, I’ll be looking at Disney’s original 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and its 2025 live-action remake, simply titled Snow White. Let’s kick things off with the film that started it all—Disney’s first-ever animated feature.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Director: David Hand

Studio: Disney, RKO Radio Pictures

For a film that’s 88 years old, I can’t deny the animation was ahead of its time. Some stunning frames help elevate and tell the story in a way only animation could. This film was the blueprint for so many great animated features that followed. The way it's animated is what makes it feel like the classic it’s considered to be today.

Unfortunately, I’m unsure of the voice cast, as they were all uncredited—yeah, Disney didn’t use to credit their voice actors. That said, I do think they brought the characters to life in a unique way, giving them distinct personalities and quirks.

Even though the story of Snow White is well known, it’s the way this film tells it that makes it stand out. I’ve not read the original fairy tale, but I know the rough story, and this version tells it quite well. Admittedly, it’s not a film I particularly enjoy, but thanks to the animation, it’s still told effectively.

Now, I want to touch on one of the reasons I’m not big on this film: the Queen’s transformation into the old hag. It terrified me as a kid, and even now, watching it as a 30-year-old man, I still remember how unsettling it was. While it no longer has the same effect, that childhood fear has always left me feeling a bit uneasy about this film.

Overall, I appreciate Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for being a groundbreaking piece of cinema and animation. Disney has definitely done better since, but its animation, voice work, and storytelling make it timeless and watchable for generations to come.

Rating: 8/10 — ★★★★☆

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Snow White (2025)

Director: Marc Webb

Studio: Disney

In 2025, Disney released a live-action remake of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The film was plagued by controversy during production and, upon release, flopped both critically and financially.

Whilst there are some small changes to the story, such as fleshing out the love interest and adding a subplot involving a rebellion against the Queen, the film still hits all the same beats as the original. The only real addition is that Snow White is named that because she was born during a blizzard. That's it.

So, in theory, nothing new is added to make this version stand out among the many Snow White adaptations, not to mention the iconic 1937 original. As a result, you already know exactly how this film is going to play out, which makes the stakes feel non-existent. The story, honestly, ends up feeling dull and lifeless.

Before I completely trash the film, I do want to highlight a few positives. Rachel Zegler is fine as Snow White. While she doesn’t quite suit the classic look or the iconic costume, her singing voice is genuinely enjoyable. The new songs aren’t bad either, particularly “Waiting on a Wish,” which would probably work better in a standalone film or even as part of Zegler’s potential music career.

Unfortunately, the production values are where this film falls apart. I’ve never been a fan of Marc Webb’s direction, especially after The Amazing Spider-Man films, so I didn’t have high expectations—but even still, I was shocked. For a movie with a $300 million budget, it just doesn’t look like it.

The CGI is off-putting, especially the designs of the seven dwarfs—now referred to as "magical creatures"—and the sets look cheap and artificial. Even with talented cinematographer Mandy Walker (who did incredible work on Elvis in 2022) doing her best, there’s only so much she could do to salvage the visual presentation.

And seriously, even if you take the culture wars and controversy out of the equation, it’s just not a good film. Instead of remaking a nearly 90-year-old classic that’s been adapted countless times, why not make an original princess film? Rachel Zegler could’ve played a new character—one that she could make her own—while letting the filmmakers build a compelling new story around her.

Disney has proven with films like Raya and the Last Dragon and Encanto that audiences do show up for original stories. So why try to force someone like Zegler into a role that’s already been defined, only for her to get unfairly villainised in the media? She clearly has talent—this just wasn’t the right project to showcase it.

Also, can we talk about the “magical creatures”? Could Disney not have hired actors instead of creating awkward CGI hybrids? It just feels wrong, and the uncanny valley effect makes them hard to look at. Honestly, The Polar Express looks prettier in comparison.

But the final nail in the coffin for me was how they handled the Evil Queen. She’s barely in the film, Gal Gadot puts in zero effort, and worst of all—they completely strip away the creepiness and menace from her transformation. She no longer feels like a threat, and that’s a massive disservice to one of Disney’s most iconic villains.

The only part they got right? The design of the magic mirror. That, at least, stayed faithful and looked solid.

Overall, while Snow White (2025) isn’t the worst Disney remake out there, it’s still a pretty bad one. Yes, it has its strengths—Zegler’s singing, a couple of decent new songs, and some nice cinematography—but its flaws far outweigh any redeeming qualities.

Honestly, I think it’s time Disney called it a day on these live-action remakes. If this film proves anything, it’s that people are ready to move on.

I give the 2025 remake of Snow White a rating of a 2 out of 5 stars and a 4 out of 10 

Verdict

Overall, Disney’s original animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a far superior version compared to its 2025 remake. While I don’t hold it in quite as high regard as some die-hard Disney fans, there’s no denying that its animation, storytelling, characters, and music have made it the beloved classic we know today.

Rachel Zegler does her best with what she’s given, but this lacklustre remake fails to justify its existence. It doesn’t bring anything new or meaningful to the table, instead feeling like yet another corporate blockbuster made to divide fans and cash in on nostalgia, though ironically, it didn’t even succeed at that.

If you want to experience Disney’s take on this classic fairy tale, stick with the 1937 original. And if you’re curious to see Rachel Zegler in a stronger, more compelling role, I highly recommend checking out her latest film, Y2K, instead.

Thanks for reading this article. Check out both versions of Snow White and form your own opinion—and if you’ve seen them, let us know your thoughts!