Disney is back and with a new live-action adaptation of Snow White. This a new take on the old favorite, features Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. With a rewritten story, lovely world to gaze upon, and mix of fresh and classic details, the film delivers some peak moments, although not all its bold choices exactly succeed.

Rachel Zegler shines as Snow White, acting the role with warmth and charm that makes her look ideally suited to the role. Her performance offers a refreshing mix of innocence and toughness, and she is a beautiful lead who owns the film with ease. Vocally, she does all that is asked of her and more debuting a new original song “Waiting On A Wish” is far from forgettable. The song sends chills down your spine, marking one of Disney’s best original numbers in years—arguably on par with Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go.” It’s a breathtaking moment that reminds audiences why Zegler is such a natural fit for Disney’s musical storytelling.

All that aside, while the film does a good thing by having Snow White do something in her own story rather than waiting around for a prince to come and save her, it’s hard not to miss “Someday My Prince Will Come.” With the range of Zegler’s singing, Disney could perhaps have tried to find a way to include the song in the film in a way that honored the tradition while progressing with the new path of the film.

Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen with a commanding presence, but sometimes her performance seems like a bid for an Angelina Jolie Maleficent-esque take that doesn’t quite have the same level of success. She does look the part and has a few chilling scenes, but something about her characterization doesn’t quite land. While she certainly gets noticed, the villain’s role could have been more menacing and deep than comical.

Most of the pre-release promotion centered around the portrayals of the dwarves, but, in reality, they sit quite well with the re-imagining of the film. The changes are organic rather than forced, and Dopey, in particular, benefits from an expanded and more emotional history that provides welcome emotional depth to the character.

Another long-overdue addition is the expanded role for the Huntsman. People have speculated about his motivations and conflicts for decades, and this interpretation finally brings more depth to the character. It makes the narrative feel more satisfying by assigning him a bigger part in Snow White’s life and adding an interesting new dynamic.

Overall, Snow White is a visually pleasing and musically sound reimagining that brings some of the original elements into the modern age nicely without quite going after some of the possible potential. Rachel Zegler proves she was born to be a Disney princess with both dignity and singing chops, and “Waiting On A Wish” earns its spot alongside Disney tradition. While the villain of this movie doesn’t quite measure up to Disney’s best villains, and the absence of “Someday My Prince Will Come” is one that is deeply felt, the remake presents a strong case for why Snow White’s story still holds up and why its narrative still fascinates, presenting a fresh spin on an old classic while remaining faithful to its origins.

Pros: Rachel Zegler

Cons: Some of the magic from the original does not show in the live action remake