Alex Cann Film Column - 26th March 2025

There's only one film everyone is talking about this week, and I'm pretty sure a lot who are attacking it most vociferously haven't even watched it. Disney's Snow White stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, and I went to see it with an open mind. Whilst you could absolutely make the case that it's a remake that doesn't need to exist, you could say the same about everything from Moana to the Lion King (and this was better than those).

Some of the familiar classic tunes mix in with new soundtrack songs, and whilst the fresh ones are not as instantly memorable, Rachel Zegler sings them well. There's been a lot of talk of the remake being 'woke', but in my opinion, it's a tsunami of pointless keyboard bashing. If you want to watch the original animation, take out a subscription to Disney+ and watch it on there. There were quite a few kids in my screening, and they sat attentively, appearing to enjoy it. Thankfully, they will be oblivious to those who object to the new Snow White's ethnicity.

It's by no means perfect, and the animation of the seven dwarfs suggests there have been a number of redesigns before they decided on the final version. The story is not centred around a prince who has to awake Snow White from her slumber, following her bite into a dodgy apple (One Day My Prince Will Come is missing from the soundtrack). Instead, Snow White is on a mission to free her kingdom from the Marie Antoinette style clutches of the evil capitalist Queen, played in a pantomime baddie style by Gal Gadot. I liked the film's message of kindness and community, and found it uplifting and magical.Totally aware I'm in a minority here, but all I'd say is make your own mind up. I'd also put on record that a lot of the criticism leaves a very nasty taste in my mouth, far worse than a poisoned red apple unwisely bitten into.

Rachel Zegler also features in Y2K. We're taken back to 1999, when a new millennium saw fears about a bug that could wipe out all the computers. In this film, they come to life and embark on a gory trail of destruction at a house party. It felt tonally confused, but there was a very amusing scene featuring Sisqo's Thong Song, and some good needle drop moments in the late 90s soundtrack. The Kid Laroi makes an appearance as Soccer Chris, and Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit randomly turns up as himself, and becomes quite a big part of the story. It's a bit of a throwback to the likes of Superbad and American Pie, but less funny and with added gore and sci fi and whilst the mish mash of ingredients doesn't entirely work, it's a fun way of passing 90 minutes.

Next week, my take on the new De Niro film Alto Knights, chilling horror The Woman In The Yard and the latest Jason Statham movie Working Man.