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Snow White’s bold changes can’t fix Disney’s biggest live-action remake problem

BBG News

Snow White spoilers follow.

Besides revolutionizing animation technology and shaping Disney into the powerhouse it is now, Snow White was likely the first Disney princess encountered by many young girls during their childhood.

Her virtues of kindness, love, and a selfless, caring nature captivated us. As the original Disney Princess, she paved the way for others to follow, which can be expressed as Snow White leading the path that enabled Cinderella, Rapunzel, Belle, Tiana, and Mulan to advance further.

We were spellbound by her qualities of kindness, love, and her sincere, nurturing soul. As the first Disney Princess, she established the foundation for others to build upon, or in simpler terms, Snow White opened the door for Cinderella, Rapunzel, Belle, Tiana, and Mulan to make progress.

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However, as enthusiasts delve into the newest Disney live-action rendition featuring Rachel Zegler, they might find that Snow White’s “happily ever after” carries a complex storyline.

1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” laid the foundation for many of the enduring stereotypes and tropes that have characterized Disney’s princesses ever since, from idealized physical appearances to the recurring theme of a damsel in distress who ultimately depends on her prince charming. As a fan, I can’t help but notice these patterns over time and question their impact on the stories we tell and the role models we create for young girls.

Snow White’s actions stem from maternal traits, yet she is unfairly assessed based on her physical appearance due to the wicked queen’s influence. As a result of the huntsman’s mercy, she finds herself in the woods and immediately begins cleaning the cottage, humming cheerfully as she collaborates with her woodland friends to sweep the floors, remove cobwebs, polish the fireplace, and wash dishes.

Apart from mining duties, she additionally prepares meals for the dwarves upon their return and takes care of them, as she feels they lacked a maternal presence in their lives. This stands in stark contrast to Grumpy’s perspective, expressed as, “All females are toxic; they’re filled with cunning tricks!

Clearly, much has evolved since Snow White initially appeared in stories. Being the pioneer often carries significant responsibility and cost. The stereotypes surrounding her originated from antiquated perspectives that primarily assessed a woman’s worth by her domestic skills and physical appearance rather than her intellect, values, or moral character.

It’s not unexpected that the 2025 reimagining of Disney Princesses tries to tackle the concerns of today, given they are shaped by their era of origin. However, the execution might yield varying opinions.

As a die-hard fan, delving deeper into the captivating tale of Snow White, I found myself eagerly exploring the intricate details of our beloved heroine’s extended backstory. From the enigma behind her unique name and the heartbreaking fate of her parents, to the chilling rise of Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen within the kingdom, each revelation added a rich layer to the story that I simply couldn’t get enough of. However, it was Snow White’s ‘I Want’ song where her transformative journey truly began, igniting my excitement for what was yet to unfold.

In a twist from the classic tale, I found myself yearning for more than just a prince to whisk me away when playing the character of Snow White in Erin Cressida Wilson’s script. Instead, my longing for leadership and self-discovery became the driving force, highlighting aspects of me that transcended mere beauty.

Although Zegler faced criticism during filming, one major factor that attracted her to the role was the opportunity to introduce modern audiences to a strong character. This aspect also applies to Snow White’s other endearing traits, like her kindness, which become even more prominent in her interactions with Dopey.

As a gamer, I was drawn into the new twist of the classic tale in Andrew Burnap’s Jonathan, where the charming prince is swapped for a Robin Hood-like outlaw. Instead of relying on traditional beauty objectifications or a magical kiss to break a curse, Snow White embarks on a heartfelt romantic journey, learning to feel genuinely loved and cherished.

In a refreshing twist, instead of the traditional tale where Snow White cleans, the dwarfs are now tasked with tidying up their own dwelling. Meanwhile, Snow White gracefully dances and serenades, reminiscent of Mary Poppins in a fairy tale. Interestingly, she manages to keep her famous dress immaculate throughout this cleaning spree!

Even though these alterations have been made, they remain skin deep at most. Much like many Disney reboots, the modifications are based on superficial solutions and adjustments that continue to adhere to the blueprint of their ancestral content, lacking the commitment to fully develop their concepts.

A striking illustration presents the young princess spearheading a revolution against the wicked queen, aiming to rejuvenate her kingdom with the same joy and contentment it previously knew.

Under a crimson veil, she performs a melody from their golden era, aiming to rally the townsfolk and initiate a procession towards the castle entrance. Instead of resorting to conflict, this updated tale chooses a peaceful approach: Snow White persuades the soldiers to recall fond memories of their past lives instead of perpetuating violence and harshness.

Theoretically, it’s consistent with Snow White’s character; however, the implementation turns out to be rather flimsy and hasty, leaving viewers unsatisfied due to insufficient development of the soldiers’ characters, particularly in terms of their struggles against an oppressive system.

In contrast to the original tale, the scene where the Evil Queen loses her beauty and is drawn into a magical mirror doesn’t carry the same sense of dark victory that it once did.

Snow White is not the first Disney remake to be beset by such challenges.

In the 2017 remake of “Beauty and the Beast,” concerns about Belle being in an abusive relationship were counteracted by portraying Belle and the Beast as more equal partners, but it’s important to note that their relationship initially begins with Belle being held captive.

2023’s version of “The Little Mermaid” could have revised the song “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” changing Ursula’s negative portrayal of female behavior, yet unfortunately inserted a Lin-Manuel Miranda tune in “The Scuttlebutt.” Regardless, Ariel still sacrifices her voice to be with Prince Eric in this updated tale.

Similar to its live-action counterparts, the animated version of Snow White doesn’t make use of opportunities to explore her growth and independence as boldly or bravely as other adaptations of Grimm’s renowned fairy tale, such as Mirror Mirror or Snow White and the Huntsman, have done.

Regardless of the transformations, Snow White still needs rescuing, but it might not be the Prince who administers the magical kiss this time around.

Instead of asking “how we enjoy Disney movies,” perhaps a more thoughtful question could be “how do we grapple with Disney’s history.” While die-hard fans might admire these films and their efforts to evolve, they remain tied to the studio’s complex past. As Disney seeks to refresh old stories for new viewers, it unintentionally carries over some of its outdated issues in the live-action remakes.

Instead of dwelling on the past like a vinyl record constantly repeating the same track, it might be more beneficial for the studio to focus on moving forward. While Disney Princesses may not always embody strong feminist ideals, there’s a clearer path towards this when characters such as Moana or Elsa are considered.

Only then can true modernisation of its female characters be fully realised.

Snow White is out now in cinemas.

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2025-03-21 21:23

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