Disney’s live-action remakes have had their hits and misses, but the latest iteration of Snow White proves that even the most beloved classics aren’t safe from misguided creative choices. From questionable design decisions to unnecessary changes in character portrayal, this film strays too far from what made the original 1937 animated masterpiece so iconic.
One of the most glaring departures is the new song, Waiting on a Wish. Snow White’s voice has always been synonymous with a delicate, soaring soprano—think of Adriana Caselotti’s ethereal performance in Some Day My Prince Will Come.
This new song, however, abandons that signature vocal style in favor of a more contemporary sound. The result? A track that feels generic, lacking the fairy-tale charm that made the original film so enchanting.
Snow White’s voice was supposed to be otherworldly, almost dreamlike; instead, it’s been reduced to something forgettable.
The film’s visual choices don’t fare much better. Snow White’s costume—a garishly bright ensemble—feels more like a cheap Halloween costume than the refined and elegant gown of a beloved princess.
Disney has proven before that it can get live-action princess attire right. Just look at the stunningly detailed designs in Cinderella (2015), The Little Mermaid (2023), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Maleficent (2014) where Aurora’s wardrobe was a gorgeous blend of fantasy and realism. Yet, for Snow White, the original Disney princess, we get an outfit that is both unflattering and uninspired.
If the costume wasn’t enough, the hair department also dropped the ball. Snow White is famous for her striking black bob, perfectly styled with a red bow. Instead, the live-action version presents audiences with a shapeless brown wig that has drawn unflattering comparisons to Shrek’s Lord Farquaad. How Disney managed to drain the elegance out of such a simple, iconic look is baffling.
Perhaps the most frustrating choice, though, was the decision to use CGI dwarves instead of casting real actors. The original film’s seven dwarfs were full of personality, each distinct and memorable. Instead of honoring that legacy, the remake turns them into an overproduced CGI spectacle.
More importantly, this decision robbed talented actors with dwarfism—who already face limited casting opportunities—of roles that could have showcased their skills. Disney had a chance to develop their characters and celebrate diversity in a meaningful way, yet instead, they opted for artificial, computer-generated replacements.
Ultimately, this live-action Snow White feels like a misstep in nearly every way. From a disappointing soundtrack to poorly executed visuals, it fails to capture the magic that has kept Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs beloved for nearly a century.
Disney has proven that it can successfully modernize its animated classics, but this time, it seems they’ve bitten off a poison apple.