Disney’s Live-Action Snow White Dominates Box Office Despite Mixed Reviews
In a surprising turn of events, Disney’s live-action adaptation of the beloved fairy-tale Snow White has emerged as the reigning champion of the North American box office, defying a wave of lackluster reviews.
The film has raked in an impressive $87.3 million (£67.5 million) globally in its opening weekend, with nearly half of that sum coming from North America, as reported by Box Office Mojo.
However, this falls short of the anticipated performance for a movie that reportedly carried a hefty price tag of over $270 million.
The modernized version of the 1937 animated classic appeared to be a guaranteed success until it encountered a series of controversies leading up to its release.
From casting debates to political disputes, the revamp of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became a lightning rod for social and cultural divisions even before hitting the big screen.
Criticism surrounding the casting of Rachel Zegler, a Colombian descent actress, as the titular character stirred controversy, along with conflicting views on the political statements made by the cast members.
Additionally, the inclusion of dwarfs in the film sparked ongoing debates on the use of live actors versus CGI technology.
Despite its success in North America, Snow White failed to make a significant impact in mainland China, ranking outside the top five movies in cinemas and earning less than $1 million in its initial three days of release.
Entertainment industry consultant Patrick Frater attributed the film’s lukewarm reception to a combination of controversies and the diminishing influence of Hollywood productions in Asia amidst the pandemic.
While critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave Snow White a meager 44% rating, the audience response on the ‘Popcornometer’ stood at a more favorable 73%.
Opinions on the film varied widely, with some labeling it as “bad” and others finding it “captivating” and “mind-boggling” in its execution.
With its unsettling CGI characters and tonal inconsistencies, Disney’s latest live-action remake of Snow White may not be a disaster, but it certainly is a perplexing amalgamation of elements, as noted by BBC’s Nicholas Barber.
