Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White has defied critics’ expectations, taking in $87.3m globally despite a slew of negative reviews.
Disney’s live-action version of the classic fairy tale Snow White has taken an estimated $87.3m (£67.5m) globally during its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. However, this success comes despite a slew of underwhelming reviews from critics.
Snow White is a European folk tale about a beautiful princess named Snow White, who takes refuge with a group of dwarfs to escape her stepmother's jealousy.
The story originated from the Brothers Grimm's German folktale 'Kinder- und Hausmärchen' (Children's and Household Tales) in 1812.
It is believed that the tale was inspired by earlier European folklore, particularly the ancient Greek myth of Chione.
Snow White has since become a beloved fairy tale, adapted into numerous films, stage productions, and other forms of media.
Controversies Surrounding the Film’s Release
The reworking of the 1937 feature-length animation had seemed like a surefire hit before running into a series of controversies ahead of its release. The revamp of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became a flashpoint for social and political divisions, even before it reached cinemas around the world.
Casting Criticism
The film’s casting was also under scrutiny, particularly regarding ‘Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, playing the heroine.’ Additionally, there were backlash comments from Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays Snow White’s stepmother, the Evil Queen, about her pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel views.
Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress, model, and producer.
Born on April 30, 1985, in Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel, she rose to fame for her portrayal of Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe.
Gadot began her modeling career at a young age, winning the Miss Israel title in 2004.
She then transitioned to acting, appearing in films such as 'Date Night' and 'Knight and Day'.
Her breakout role came with 'Wonder Woman', released in 2017, which grossed over $821 million worldwide.
Dwarfs in the Film: A Debate
Another ongoing debate surrounds whether there should have been dwarfs in the film at all, live or computer-generated imagery (CGI). This decision has sparked a heated discussion among fans and critics alike.
Mixed Reviews from Critics
On the reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Snow White has a critics’ score of just 44%. However, the audience reaction ‘Popcornometer’ stands at 73%, indicating that audiences have a more positive opinion of the film. Chief film critic for The Times, Kevin Maher, described the film as ‘that bad,’ while the Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney called it ‘mostly captivating.’
A Complicated Reception
Disney’s latest live-action remake is often described as ‘not calamitous’ but also ‘a mind-boggling mash-up.’ With its creepy CGI dwarfs and muddled tone, the film has left critics divided.
Underwhelming Performance in China
In mainland China, Snow White ranked outside the top five movies in cinemas, according to EntGroup’s China Box Office website. The film brought in less than a $1m in its first three days in cinemas, suggesting that the controversies surrounding its release may have had an impact on its appeal.
A Question of Appeal
Entertainment industry consultant Patrick Frater believes that the multiple controversies have dulled the film’s appeal. He also notes that the waning impact of many Hollywood productions in Asia since the beginning of the pandemic has contributed to this decline.
