Summary of "Why the new SNOW WHITE doesn't work (2025 Disney Film Review)" – MickeyJoTheatre Podcast
Release Date: March 23, 2025
Host: MickeyJoTheatre
In this in-depth episode, Mickey-Jo from MickeyJoTheatre critiques Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves." While primarily a theatre critic, Mickey-Jo extends his expertise to film, offering a comprehensive analysis that spans storytelling, character development, tone, social politics, and musical composition.
1. Introduction and Initial Impressions [00:00 - 05:00]
Mickey-Jo opens the episode by expressing his initial support for the film amidst polarized discussions surrounding it. However, after watching the movie, he reveals his disappointment, stating:
“I found it almost entirely unwatchable. Regrettably, my active endeavors to enjoy this film on its own terms were inhibited by a whole host of problems” ([00:45]).
2. Source Material and Structural Flaws [05:01 - 10:30]
He argues that the remake was "inherently doomed" due to the original story's lack of structural depth. Comparing it to other Disney adaptations, Mickey-Jo notes:
“Snow White is never really among those [adapted for the stage].” ([04:15]).
He emphasizes that unlike "Cinderella," which has a compelling narrative, "Snow White" lacks the necessary conflict and tension to sustain a modern remake effectively.
3. Tonal Inconsistencies [10:31 - 15:50]
The host criticizes the film’s attempt to balance traditional fairy tale whimsy with contemporary energy, likening it to the dynamics found in "Frozen" and "Tangled." He points out that this blend creates a disjointed tone:
“The two of them feel incongruous.” ([12:10]).
An example is the song "Princess Problems," which, despite its quality, doesn't seamlessly fit into the narrative or character arcs.
4. Relationship Dynamics [15:51 - 22:30]
Mickey-Jo delves into the forced romance between Snow White and Jonathan, comparing it to Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing." He highlights the lack of meaningful interaction:
“Within hours, they sing this big unearned romantic duet.” ([18:20]).
He critiques the rapid development of their relationship, suggesting it undermines the story’s depth and authenticity.
5. Social Politics and Messaging [22:31 - 28:10]
The remake attempts to infuse progressive themes like fairness and equality. However, Mickey-Jo finds these elements feel "hollow and performative":
“Snow White’s personal politics feel a little hollow and performative.” ([24:45]).
He discusses the film’s anti-monarchist undertones and how they clash with Disney's historical narratives, creating a dissonant message.
6. Representation of Female Characters [28:11 - 33:00]
Mickey-Jo critiques the tokenization of female characters beyond Snow White and the Evil Queen. He points out the lack of depth in characters like "Lonely Girl" and the objectification present in the portrayal of bandits:
“Every other female character that we meet... are all pretty much tokenized.” ([30:50]).
He argues that this undermines the film’s attempts at modernizing its narrative.
7. Musical Score and Composition [33:01 - 38:20]
The host expresses disappointment with the musical direction, attributing it to Pasek and Paul’s compositions, which he feels clash with the original score. He states:
“Those new compositions are utterly at odds with the pre-existing material.” ([35:40]).
Songs like "Waiting on a Wish" remind him too much of "The Greatest Showman," detracting from the fairy tale essence.
8. Supporting Characters: Bandits and Dwarves [38:21 - 43:15]
While dismissing the bandits as underdeveloped and unnecessary, Mickey-Jo praises the Dwarves for maintaining their charm and visual appeal:
“The Dwarves actually were one of the best things about this film.” ([40:00]).
He appreciates the CGI portrayal and the actors' performances, noting that they provide some of the few redeeming qualities in the film.
9. Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen [43:16 - 48:00]
Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen receives significant criticism. Mickey-Jo feels her performance lacks the necessary charisma and depth:
“She had zero charisma. There are so many great people that you could have had for this role.” ([45:30]).
He contrasts this with potential casting choices like Lady Gaga or Nicole Kidman, who might have brought more theatricality and gravitas to the character.
10. Characterization of Snow White [48:01 - 53:50]
Snow White is portrayed as an overly crafted, almost robotic character striving to embody multiple virtues. Mickey-Jo argues that this makes her less relatable and reduces her agency:
“She is a princess who is fair. Fair not in complexion... but fair in behavior.” ([50:20]).
He criticizes scenes where Snow White remains passive, such as her quiet observation during conflicts, which undermines her role as a proactive leader.
11. Specific Scene Critiques [53:51 - 58:30]
Mickey-Jo highlights illogical plot points and character actions, like Sleepy's redundant need for warm milk despite his perpetual sleepiness:
“You do not need a cup of hot milk. That's just such a ridiculous thing to say.” ([56:15]).
He uses these examples to illustrate the film’s lack of coherent character development and storytelling.
12. Conclusion and Final Thoughts [58:31 - End]
Despite acknowledging that "Snow White" has garnered significant backlash, Mickey-Jo remains critical of its execution. He summarizes that while there are elements he appreciated, such as the Dwarves and visual aesthetics, the film ultimately fails to deliver a compelling and authentic retelling. He encourages listeners to engage in the discussion by sharing their perspectives.
“Those were the bigger problems. In any case, those have been my thoughts about the Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.” ([58:45]).
He wraps up by hinting at future content, including potential reviews of "Wicked Part 2", and invites listeners to subscribe and follow his work.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- On Source Material: “the storytelling and the bones of that piece, it's not really that great.” ([00:45])
- On Tonal Mismatch: “The two of them feel incongruous.” ([12:10])
- On Forced Romance: “Within hours, they sing this big unearned romantic duet.” ([18:20])
- On Social Politics: “Snow White’s personal politics feel a little hollow and performative.” ([24:45])
- On Female Tokenization: “Every other female character that we meet... are all pretty much tokenized.” ([30:50])
- On Musical Misalignment: “Those new compositions are utterly at odds with the pre-existing material.” ([35:40])
- On the Evil Queen’s Portrayal: “She had zero charisma.” ([45:30])
- On Snow White’s Characterization: “She is a princess who is fair. Fair not in complexion... but fair in behavior.” ([50:20])
- On Specific Scenes: “You do not need a cup of hot milk. That's just such a ridiculous thing to say.” ([56:15])
Final Remarks
MickeyJoTheatre's review serves as a critical lens on Disney's attempt to modernize a classic, highlighting the challenges of balancing nostalgia with contemporary storytelling. While acknowledging some strengths, the overarching sentiment is one of disappointment, urging both creators and audiences to seek more authentic and thoughtfully crafted narratives in adaptations.
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