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Just when you thought Disney couldn’t out-Disney itself, the beloved Snow White has returned—completely reimagined for the modern age. Walt Disney’s cherished princess, who graced screens way back in 1937, has re-entered theaters with an adaptation so bold it might make Walt himself spill his popcorn.

The remake of "Snow White" premieres Thursday, and the early reviews are in, though not without some controversy—and not just because Snow White’s dwarfs are now decidedly dwarf-less. David Hand, the spirited 91-year-old son of the original director, minced no words, calling the remake "insulting" and accusing Disney of "lacking respect for its classics."

The theatrical release of the remake of "Snow White" was originally planned for March 2024. It was postponed to March 2025 because so much of the plot was reworked.

The questions swirling around the remake are endless: why exactly is Snow White called Snow White, again? The Brothers Grimm originally declared it was her skin, white as snow. But this explanation went up in smoke when Disney cast actress Rachel Zegler, whose Colombian heritage didn't exactly fit the Grimm mold. Disney, ever nimble, decided Snow White was born on a snowy day. Problem solved—apparently.

Snow White star Rachel Zegler (23) has long been the subject of controversy. She raged against the original film and "got out of control" with questionable statements about the Disney Dream Factory.

Zegler herself stirred the pot further by branding the classic 1937 film "sexist," calling Prince Charming a creepy "stalker," and labeling the whole fairy tale as severely lacking in female self-determination. Disney got the memo loud and clear—so clear, in fact, they essentially turned the prince into a medieval Robin Hood who steals from the rich to feed the poor. Admirable? Sure. Prince Charming? Not so much.

In the new film, the prince has become more of a Robin Hood with his gang.

Then came the dwarf drama—what we might now call "heightgate." Initially, seven real actors were cast, but, inconveniently, most ended up taller than Snow White herself. After backlash from dwarfs everywhere (because why consult them first, right?), Disney swiftly pivoted to animated "magical creatures," diligently avoiding the word "dwarf" altogether. Unfortunately, the previously cast human actors still had contracts, so Disney wedged them awkwardly into the story as part of the prince's entourage, doubling Snow White’s friends from seven dwarfs to fourteen mismatched buddies. Yes, suddenly Snow White is hosting a traveling circus instead of a cozy cottage party.

The dwarves, no longer called that, come from the computer. Rachel Zegler and the other actors are real people.

And what about that iconic, controversial kiss? Fear not—it remains. Snow White still falls into her iconic coma, only to be awakened by true love’s kiss, but don't start celebrating yet. The film boldly goes on from here: no fairytale wedding, no happily-ever-after stroll into the sunset. Instead, our heroine rallies the troops and transforms into a revolutionary leader. How’s that for fairy-tale feminism?

The seven dwarfs from the original no longer appear as such. The new edition avoids a more precise description.

Despite these dizzying shifts, initial reviews—Disney-approved, of course—are celebrating the film as a modern triumph. Yet for many long-time Disney lovers, the nostalgia seems overshadowed by confusion. Walt Disney’s creations were always about magic, simplicity, and wonder—qualities that feel increasingly distant in this busy reinvention.

Is Disney truly better off now, rewriting every beloved detail to suit today’s trends, or is this a case of trying a bit too hard to stay relevant? Are we losing the magic of the kingdom we've laughed at, cried over, and cherished for generations?

Zegler at a small film premiere in Spain on March 12. The press was excluded from the event, and influencers were allowed to ask her prearranged questions instead.

If nostalgia is your cup of tea, you might prefer the old DVD. But perhaps, somewhere beneath this whirlwind of woke wizardry, Disney’s charm is still hiding. Or maybe Disney has simply taken their mission statement "keep moving forward" just a little too seriously.

Either way, Snow White now has twice as many friends—but is it twice as magical? The jury’s still out.