Review of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938) by Movie P — 21 Dec 2013

"Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?".

Snow White is a masterpiece beyond compare. One that, much like The Wizard of Oz, is almost required viewing for anyone with an inclination for cinema. It is quite simply the most influential animated film of all time (but that's a given). From the enchanting musical numbers, to the dazzling animation, to the hysterical antics of the Dwarves, Snow White not only showcased the brilliance of Walt Disney, but it set the standard in animation, that many still see as the defining pinnacle of the medium. I, after not having watched it in years, was blown away by the creativity, the appeal, and the magic that Disney served up with his first feature-length film.

The plot, and chances are you already know it, is as iconic as anything in the film. Based off the Brothers' Grimm tale, Disney toned down some of the darker aspects, in favour of family-friendly fare. This only aids the film though, as many of it's plot points have since passed into legend.

The Evil Queen, one of the most enduring villains in history, is so envious if her step-daughter' s beauty (as told to her by the magic mirror, in the fist of many iconic scenes), that she decides to have the girl killed. To do so, she enlists the aid of the Huntsman, who is tasked with killing Snow White, and bringing back her heart, as proof of the job.

It really is a nerve-racking scene, as the innocent Snow White chats with a bird, while the Huntsman draws his dagger, music swelling throughout. Luckily for the innocent girl, the Huntsman is unable to go through with the kill, and urges her to run away, and never return. This leads to yet another iconic scene, as Snow White frantically dashes through the forest, while it seemingly comes to life around her.

After that hallucinatory trip, we find ourselves outside the house of the Seven Dwarves, of course, Snow White does not realise this yet, mistaking the disproportionate furniture for a child's. It isn't long before the Dwarves are introduced (courtesy of the iconic "Heigh-Ho"), and Snow White finds a home to seek refuge in. Of course, nothing lasts forever, as The Evil Queen learns of the Huntsman's deception, and plots to be rid of Snow White, once and for all.

I really need to work on my plot summaries.

Positives: Well, first of all, there is the animation. Never before had such a startling work been seen in cinema, and it still retains that magic today. From the spellbinding opening scenes (who didn't get chills when the Queen had her first exchange with the magic mirror), to the visually splendid run through the woods (it always makes me smile when the horror-influenced visuals are revealed to be nothing more than harmless woodland creatures), to the magical frenzy of action in the Dwarves' home (Set to the ever-hummable "Whistle while you work"), Snow White's animation is an absolute pillar of the industry, and remains deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of those who watched it.

Then there is the music. The timeless soundtrack is probably my favourite element in Snow White. Most of the tunes have passed into common knowledge (Whistle while you work, Some day my Prince will come, and of course, Heigh-Ho, are all among the most well-known cinematic songs of all time). There is also the score, which is almost omnipresent, but never irritating. It adds another unique layer to the film that few (even Disney's own) have imitated to this day. By having every movement choreographed to a brilliant orchestral score, the film seems alive, even in the most dull spots (of which, there are few).

Being honest, I expected to be less than overwhelmed at the film's writing, but again, I was pleasantly surprised. I was under the assumption that characters like Doc would be corny, or uninteresting, but no: Instead, Doc has gone from being the Dwarf I least-liked, to my absolute favourite. His mannerisms, speech- impediment, and general clutter-personality, makes for an engaging, and oft-hilarious character. This further adds to the magic of watching Snow White.

Really, Snow White is just one of those films, where nothing feels out of place, nothing feels forced, and we are instead treated to an hour-and-a-half of animated perfection.

Negatives: It is, of course, nearly impossible for a film to be without flaws, and Snow White is no exception, though whatever flaws on may perceive are not, in my opinion, enough to tarnish it's five-star score. While I mentioned the majority of the film's aspects as having aged very well, the audio is a bit fuzzy. That certainly isn't enough to tarnish this masterpiece, but it is a niggling issue that tends to stick out whenever I think of the fantastic music in the film. It is also a problem that plagues the voice-acting, giving the characters a strange, ethereal sound, although, that does add something to the film's atmosphere.

Really, it is hard to come with a fair criticism of Snow White: Not only is it the original animated film, but has set a standard that few can match.

In closing, Snow White is a classic beyond compare, one whose existence is still felt in the world of animation today. It hits almost every base for making a great film, and hits them flawlessly. Although there may be the slightest audio issue, one can see that as adding an extra something to proceedings. Personally, I don't think that any small niggles like that are enough to tarnish this all-time classic.

Final Grade: A+.