Is the new “Snow White” worth seeing?

Disney’s new adaptation of Snow White generated more buzz in the buildup to its release than most films see over the course of their entire run. Normally, production companies dream of that much publicity. But in this case? Not so much…

For a host of reasons, the live-action remake of Disney’s very first film has found itself at the center of the culture wars in a way that has garnered an endless supply of critics but very few defenders. 

From allegations that the film would be better titled “Snow Woke” for its casting choices and changes to the film’s story to finding its stars on both sides of Israel’s war with Hamas, many had firm feelings about the movie before it ever appeared on screen. 

And, as evidenced by a dismal $44.3 million in ticket sales on its opening weekend—the previous lowest for such a live adaptation was 2019’s Dumbo at an inflation-adjusted $58 million—those allegations have, so far, kept many would-be patrons at home rather than in theaters.  

But are such boycotts warranted? And is the movie really as bad as it’s been portrayed?

The answers to those questions are not as simple as the headlines might lead you to believe. 

Why are so many critics angry?

Some of the criticisms leveled against Snow White are legitimate. Among the most universal are:

• Several of the animated film’s most beloved songs didn’t fit into the current version
• The use of CG dwarves rather than employing live actors has left many—including those within the dwarfism community—angry.
• For better or worse—and I do think there’s room for differing views here—Snow White’s backstory and ambitions are a far cry from the titular star of the animated original.

As Collin Garabino put it, “I’m not opposed to changing up the story some. In fact, I dislike the remakes that indulge in shot-for-shot recreations of the originals. But if you’re going to depart from the classic story, you had better make sure that the new story is good.”

And, of all those departures, the shift in Snow White’s story highlights perhaps the biggest reason so many have failed to embrace the latest version of the film. After all, much of Disney as it exists today was literally built on the back of the 1937 film, and the $4 billion in inflation-adjusted revenue that it brought in. 

That the movie differs from its namesake does not make it a bad film, though.

Is the film worth seeing?

When my family and I saw this movie over the weekend, we all enjoyed it. That might be partly related to going in with pretty low expectations, and I’m not in a rush to see it again. But I’d be surprised if I never did. 

Both of my kids—eleven and eight—found it entertaining and enjoyed the new story better than the original. Even the parts of that story where the modern adaptation diverges most were not nearly as distracting or disappointing as its loudest critics have claimed.

Sarah Hunter Simanson wrote what I found to be the most apt description of the film when she pointed out: 

“More than any of the other live-action remakes that have been made in the last decade, this one feels particularly designed for a young audience. This is what makes it so hard to judge because, as a parent, I am part of the inevitable audience but not the intended one.” 

The ability to make movies that appeal to both kids and their parents used to be what made Disney movies so great. That Snow White, in some ways, falls short of that standard is a problem, but it doesn’t make it a bad film. Far too many seem to have let accusations of unfaithful casting and story choices keep them from giving it a chance. 

And that’s a shame because the movie really was fun. Moreover, as a father I appreciated some of the changes to Snow White’s story as well. To quote Simanson one more time:

“The movie portrays a princess using her privileged position to help those who were born without it. The goal isn’t marriage. It isn’t love. It’s wishing for yourself to be fearless and brave and then actually using your agency to try and become those things. If my daughter is going to emulate “Snow White,” I’d much rather her run around the house singing “Waiting on a Wish” than “Some Day My Prince Will Come.” I think she prefers to have a song that offers her that possibility, too.”

Not everyone will agree, and that’s fine.   

After all, the original holds a special place in people’s hearts, and the way in which parts of the story in general—and Zeglar in particular—show little regard for that tale has irked many.

And there’s a lesson to be learned from that basic reality that’s relevant to far more than a controversial film. 

When people dismiss the gospel

As Christians, it can be easy to become so confident and comfortable in a biblical worldview that we struggle to fully appreciate how much we’re asking of people when we share the gospel in the hope that they will accept Christ. For many of the lost in our culture, rejecting their current worldview for one that mirrors God’s will mean changing some of the beliefs that are foundational to their identity. 

That doesn’t mean we should waver in our commitment to Scripture or in our calling to share Jesus with a world that desperately needs him. But our witness will only be improved when we approach evangelism of any sort with the humility born of knowing that actually accepting the truth we share will be difficult for many. 

As such, we shouldn’t be surprised when the culture rejects what the Bible says, or even when they call us bigots and backward for refusing to accept what God calls sin. Whether it’s LGBTQ issues, the sanctity of life—both inside and outside of the womb—or a host of other issues where the lost on both sides of the political aisle disagree with Scripture, people are often going to react strongly when we refuse to accept a belief they hold dear. 

Again, that doesn’t mean we’re wrong for siding with the Bible (though it’s always worth checking to be sure that’s what we’re really doing). But we can’t afford to get angry when lost people act like lost people either. 

After all, the Gospels are filled with examples of people reacting to Christ’s message in that fashion when it was delivered by God incarnate. You and I probably shouldn’t expect much better.