Snow Whiteis one of the most infamous movies released this year. It caused controversy for a while leading up to it, surrounding everything from its lead casting to its use of CGI dwarfs. By the time it reached theaters, theDisney live-action remakewas incredibly divisive. While it received mixed reviews from critics,audiences had a more favorable response, leading to a generally positive 71% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes. At the same time,IMDbusers were review bombing the movie, and it still has only 1.8 out of 10 stars on the website.
These mixed responses also seemed to carry over to the box office, whereSnow Whitefaltered significantly. But despite its flaws, some elements make the Disney remake worth watching. Especially as the movie hits Disney+, there is hope thatRachel Zeglergets more recognition for her career-best performance, or that the soundtrack gets some of the play it deserves. There is one particular song from the live-action slate that I cannot believe was not in the original.
Snow White’s “Waiting On A Wish” Is An Instant Classic “I Want” Song
It Is Written By Justin Paul And Benj Pasek
“Waiting on a Wish” is an original song for the live-action movie version of the princess story. The song is the second musical number on theSnow Whitesoundtrack, following “Good Things Grow.” It was written by prolific songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, with Jack Feldman penning additional lyrics. Thesong replaces theSnow White and the Seven Dwarfspiece “Someday My Prince Will Come.“This substitute notably gives Zegler’s character far more agency.
This is the movie musical’s"I Want” song. This musical trope refers to any song in which the protagonist expresses their current state of dissatisfaction and their hopes and dreams for the future. Good examples from previous Disney films include songs likeThe Little Mermaid’s “Part of Your World” and, more recently, “How Far I’ll Go” fromMoana. In including this song,the live-actionSnow Whitefits into the classical musical structure by having an “I Want” piece.
The Song Is One Of Rachel Zegler’s Standout Moments As Snow White
She Shows Off Her Vocal Power
The song is well-composed enough to be an instant classic, making it shocking that it was not in the original. It is alsoone of Zegler’s best moments in the film. Vocally, she does a remarkable job in “Waiting on a Wish.” She nails the softer vocals necessitated by the storytelling in the beginning, singing lines like “Is that a girl I’ll ever know again?” She paints a picture, but by the end, she shows off her strong belting, transitioning just as her character is more declarative in her wants.
By the end, the character is as confident as her vocals would suggest, asserting her wishes and grounding her strength.
Zegler couples this enlightenment with her character’s emotions. It is her chance to really show who she is in the role and her approach to playing Snow White. She nails it in this sequence, starting less sure of herself as she recounts some of her life story and upbringing. Audiences believe that she feels “stuck” and “trapped by the walls that hold her.” By the end, the character is as confident as her vocals would suggest, asserting her wishes and grounding her strength. It isone of Zegler’s strongest sequencesin her great performance.
Snow White’s Soundtrack Is One Of The Best Parts Of The Remake
It Blends Old And New
“Waiting on a Wish” is reflective of how strong theSnow Whitesoundtrack is overall. While they included some of the original animated movie’s classic beats, including “Heigh-Ho,” Pasek and Paul were sure to update the soundtrack from the beloved original film. As such, the film incorporates several original songs, creating an eclectic set of music. Even though its CGI dwarfs and other elements created some significant flaws,Snow White’s soundtrack is fantastic, and “Waiting on a Wish” is one of the highlights.
