You have probably heard the corny one-liner:

“I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.”

A reference to the joke is believed to be from a 1938 syndicated column by Ed Sullivan (Yes, that Ed Sullivan.), who attributed the quote to Hollywood movie star and sex symbol Mae West.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is an animated feature musical fantasy film released by Walt Disney Productions in 1937. The hit movie, based on a 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm, is the highest-grossing animation feature of all time, adjusted for inflation. The film was given an honorary Oscar.

“Snow White” is a live-action and CGI feature film released in 2025 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, starring Rachel Zegler (Snow White) and Gal Gadot (The Evil Queen).

The storyline retains much of the original plot. Instead of The Prince, there is a young man, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap). He is the love interest of Snow White. There is no longer a Prince Rescuer-In-Chief. More or less, it’s Snow White to her own rescue.

The Computer Generated Imagery of the Seven Dwarfs is remarkable. Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey are fascinating in their depictions. The character voices are good. The Seven Dwarfs, as well as the cute wild animal critters, interact seamlessly with the actors.

The new film retains some of the songs from the original animated film written by Frank Churchill and Larry Morey, including “Heigh-Ho” and “Whistle While You Work.”

New songs are written by the Oscar, Tony and Grammy Award-winning songwriting team, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (the Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen,” 2016; the movie, “La La Land,” 2016). The duo’s new songs include the film’s opening song, “Good Things Grow,” sung by an ensemble of Villagers, “Waiting On A Wish,” sung by Rachel Zegler; “All Is Fair,” sung by Gal Gadot, and “Princess Problems,” sung by Andrew Burnap and Rachel Zegler.

Rachel Zegler (Maria in Steven Spielberg’s version of “West Side Story,” 2021) has an expansive range as Snow White, with a magnificently-expressive face, firm-set lips, and eyes as big as those of the doe that greets her in the forest. Zegler projects the character’s inner innocence. Zegler is in splendid voice in her songs.

Gal Gadot (“Wonder Woman 1984,” released in 2020) is effectively imperialistic with an impassive face that reflects the character’s inner ego that eventually unmasks her.

Director Marc Webb (Director, “500 Days of Summer,” 2019; “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” 2014; “The Amazing Spider-Man,” 2012) keeps the film’s pace steady, giving ample time for dialogue scenes, dramatic action and music sequences.

The screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson (screenwriter: “The Girl On The Train,” 2016; “Chloe,” 2009; “Secretary,” 2002) retains the original plotline while updating it for contemporary audiences.

The cinematography by Mandy Walker (Oscar nominee, cinematography, “Elvis,” 2023) is big and bright where it needs to be (the village scenes) and dark and mysterious where it needs to be (the Evil Queen’s castle).

The production design by Kave Quinn (production designer, “Emma,” 2020) creates a magical realm of castle keeps, deep forests and a dwarfs’ cottage that is adorable.

The special effects and visual effects are top-notch.

The choreography by Mandy Moore (choreographer, “La La Land”) is splashy and fun.

Those who are overly-critical about the new “Snow White” movie could create a whole new Seven Dwarfs, or Seven Trolls: Gloomy, Doomy, Hateful, Scroogy, Cringy, Rude Boy and Meme Girl.

It’s only a movie and a children’s movie at that. And at that, “Snow White” is a pleasant and enjoyable surprise in the fairy tale genre.

“Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho,” it’s off to the movies we go.

“Snow White,” MPAA Rated PG (Parental guidance suggested, meaning some material may not be suitable for children) for violence, some peril, thematic elements and brief rude humor; Genre: Fairy Tale, Adventure, Musical; Run time: 1 hour, 49 minutes. Distributed by Walt Disney Motion Pictures Studios.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “Snow White” begins with an image of the cover of a story book that opens to display the pages within. The movie was filmed in Pinewood Studios, England, from March to July 2022 with additional filming in June 2024.

At The Movies: “Snow White” was seen in the Dolby Cinema at AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office, March 28-30: Jason Statham, humming his own “Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho” starring in “Working Man,” an action-thriller, opened at No. 1 with $15.2 million in 3,262 theaters, stopping “Snow White” at No. 1 for one week dropping one place to No. 2 with $14.2 million in 4,200 theaters, $66.8 million, two weeks.

3. “The Chosen: Last Supper,” $11.4 million in 2,478 theaters, opening. 4.”The Woman in the Yard,” $9.4 million in 2,842 theaters, opening. 5. “Death of a Unicorn,” $5.7 million in 3,050 theaters, opening. 6. “Princess Mononoke 4K Restoration,” $4 million in 330 theaters, opening. 7. “Captain America: Brave New World” dropped four places, $2.8 million in 2,380 theaters, $196.5 million, seven weeks. 8. “Black Bag” dropped six places, $2.1 million in 2,065 theaters, $18.7 million, three weeks. 9. “Mickey 17” dropped four places, with $1.9 million in 1,648 theaters, $43.5 million, four weeks. 10. “Novocaine” dropped six places, with $1.4 million in 2,273 theaters, $18.7 million, three weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of March 30 is subject to change.

Unreel, April 4:

“A Minecraft Movie,” PG: Jared Hess directs Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge and Kate McKinnon in the Action Fantasy film based on the video game.

“Freaky Tales,” R: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck direct Pedro Pascal and Ben Mendelsohn in the Action Adventure film.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes