Despite internet controversy, 'Snow White' is not Disney's worst live-action remake

"She embodies the character's gentleness with sincerity, maintaining an awareness of why each act of kindness matters, and where it will take the story." — Siddhant Adlakha, IGN

"Zegler has all the qualities of a great star. She sings with her jaw jutting out like she's daring someone to throw a punch, and she has the ability to turn on an extra light behind her eyes when Snow White is desperate for a favor." — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times

"In truth, Zegler proves to be the one who almost saves this remake, fully convincing as the innocent princess who believes the best in everyone." — Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy

"Easily shifting gears between the pure-hearted role model of fable and a girl with a bit of personality, she navigates Erin Cressida Wilson's unsteady script more surely than any of those around her." — Jacob Oller, The AV Club

"The 'West Side Story' star has walked right out of the classic cartoon, with a pitch-perfect singing voice, spot-on physicality, and a theatrical, emotional performance that resonates." — William Bibbiani, TheWrap

"Ultimately, though, this villain falls flat because she's underwritten and Gadot can't quite push her into full camp status without the writing to back her up." — Rachel Labonte, Screen Rant

"Gadot is certainly giving it her all, but she doesn't have the sort of grandiose, imposing nature that makes the Evil Queen such a domineering villain. Also, Wilson's script doesn't really do her any favors, only slightly expanding on the few details we already knew about her." — Ross Bonaime, Collider

"Gadot makes her feel like an imposing, gleefully sinister figure, even if her singing and dialogue never measure up to the character's operatic sensibilities." — Siddhant Adlakha, IGN

"The movie does not give her a lot to work with beyond the impressive costumes and special effects." — Nell Minow, RogerEbert.com

"It is Snow White who initially rescues him, when he is caught stealing food from the castle, a good start to a developing relationship of mutual support." — Nell Minow, RogerEbert.com

"It's Jonathan who challenges Snow White to become politically active and actually to put an end to the Evil Queen's tyranny." — William Bibbiani, TheWrap

"Yes, Snow White still runs off with a guy who smooches her corpse. But now she gets to know him before she passes out — and once conscious, she assertively kisses him again." — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times

"Although the talented voice cast gives the characters humor and distinctive personalities, their CGI renderings are, well, a bit creepy, and less photorealistic than many of the cute woodland creatures that flock around Snow White." — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

"Created via motion-capture performances, puppets and voice acting, these haphazard CGI troll wannabes seem supremely out of place in a movie full of humans and one chatty mirror." — Brian Truitt, USA Today

"The dwarfs are CGI creations and never escape the uncanny valley issue; Dopey, in particular, is nightmare fuel due to the decision to make him the most child-like. It's a baffling decision for a supposed live-action remake, and one that just doesn't work." — Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy

"From their wrinkled skin to their Shenandoah beards, the Doc-led group of fantasy miners are upsetting to behold. They were ostensibly created with VFX to sidestep the issue of whether or not to cast actors with dwarfism in these roles." — Jacob Oller, The AV Club

"As a musical, 'Snow White' is a bit of a mixed bag. Naturally, the best songs here are updates of songs we already know, such as 'Heigh-Ho,' 'Whistle While You Work,' and 'The Silly Song,' often with additional lyrics that mostly work and don't take away from these beloved songs." — Ross Bonaime, Collider

"In between some classic songs ('Heigh-Ho' and 'Whistle While You Work' remain charming), new jams from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul offer a little punch-up, from Snow White's 'I want' song 'Waiting on a Wish' (fine, does its job) to Evil Queen's hilariously evil anthem ('All Is Fair'), all the way up to the standout 'Princess Problems,' which is clever and self-effacing in ways that these live-action remakes can tend to miss." — Kate Erbland, IndieWire

"The one musical addition that really works, perhaps unsurprisingly, is when Zegler is given a modern musical 'I Want' song, 'Waiting on a Wish.' Still, another that might earn points for its audacity is 'All Is Fair,' Gal Gadot's big number that reveals a much autotuned singing voice." — David Crow, Den of Geek

"Zegler is an absolute highlight, and fans of hers will be thrilled at the performance she gives here. But for those exhausted by Disney's CGI-heavy remakes, I'm not sure that there's enough of a spark here to win them over." — Rachel Labonte, Screen Rant

"It's more frolicsome and less lead-footed than most of the Disney cartoon remakes, with just enough of a love story to get by." — Owen Glieberman, Variety

"It doesn't always fit seamlessly together, but it's far more entertaining than that might lead on. This is a spirited and sweet spin on classic material that deserves kudos for its balance of necessary updates and affection for the old ways." — Kate Erbland, IndieWire

"It's not a disaster like the worst live-action Disney remakes — think 'Pinocchio' or the soulless 'The Lion King' redo. But it doesn't stand alongside the handful worth actually seeing — 'Cruella,' 'The Jungle Book,' maybe 'Cinderella.'" — David Crow, Den of Geek

"This 'Snow White' may not be the worst live-action adaptation of an animated touchstone, though it's a strong contender for its blandest." — David Fear, Rolling Stone

"Not only does the new 'Snow White' avoid being the poison apple of Disney live-action redos, it actually manages to put some extra musical mojo on a ubiquitous fairy tale." — Brian Truitt, USA Today

"'Snow White' doesn't quite crack the top-tier, with 'Cinderella' and 'Pete's Dragon' and the 1994 version of 'The Jungle Book.' But it lands solidly in the upper end of the spectrum, alongside movies like 'Mulan,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' and 'Cruella.'" — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter