In recent years, Disney has made it their mission to spread the joy of their classic stories to the new generations. To many Disney lovers’ disappointment, their method of reintroducing these classic stories is through live-action remakes. While every movie gets backlash for something, the live-action “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” has had some of the worst publicity surrounding its release. From debates over Snow White’s portrayal to the use of CGI dwarfs, this movie has been under heavy media scrutiny long before its release.
“Most people’s criticisms of the move are rooted in the racism part of it. They wanted someone who was fair skinned, like Snow White, to play the character. I think people put too much emphasis on the fact that she does not look like her. I feel like she has a nice voice for the role, but her attitude towards the whole thing is unsettling,” said senior Meaghan Rouse.
The largest topic of discussion surrounding the release has been the controversial interviews with the lead actress, Rachel Zegler, who has expressed her disinterest in the original storyline of Snow White. Zegler has repeatedly talked about how she dislikes how Snow White was saved by a prince, and that her character will not be as helpless and her focus is not on true love. She has constantly critiqued the original for its conservative views about a woman’s role in a story, and yet still decided to be in the remake. It seems like a backwards way of thinking and portrays someone who is looking more for a paycheck than for the art of storytelling.
Zegler is known for her role as Lucy Gray-Baird in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Maria in “West Side Story,” and a few other musical productions with Broadway. While many do not like how she portrays herself in the media, one can appreciate her vocal ability and artistry. Zegler is a talented singer and actress, but her ideas and opinions can, and have, put her in a negative light.
Another topic of backlash would be the producer and directors choice to use CGI to make the seven dwarfs, rather than casting actual actors with dwarfism. This production choice eliminated the chance for representation surrounding dwarfism and could have been a great opportunity to spread awareness on the condition.
“I don’t know what’s more offensive. The fact that they did not cast actors with dwarfism or that they used CGI for it,” said Rouse.
The controversies and critiques of the live-action remakes Disney has released are very well known, even making a slew of memes that have gone around the internet in recent years. In fact, the backlash is expected. The movies create media disturbance which in turn increases publicity for the productions and companies that benefit. Many fans of the classic Disney movies have said that they would prefer original storylines or animation, rather than live action.
“My expectations are low, but I’m excited, mainly for the music portion. You can still enjoy a movie even if it is bad, it just takes a certain mindset to find enjoyment in the chaos,” said homeschooled junior Irisgizel Rivera.
