Snow White is 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 was released in theaters, the Disney live-action remake was incredibly divisive. While it got mixed reviews from critics, RT audiences gave the movie a generally positive 71% Tomatometer. At the same time, IMDb users were review bombing the movie, and it still has only 1.8 out of 10 stars on the website.
This mixed responses also seemed to carry over to the box office, where Snow White faltered significantly. But despite its flaws, there are elements that make Snow White worth watching. Especially as the movie hits Disney+, there is hope that Rachel Zegler gets 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 film’s 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 the Snow White soundtrack, following “Good Things Grow.” It was written by prolific songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, with Jack Feldman penning additional lyrics. The song replaces the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs piece “Someday My Prince Will Come.” This substitute notably gives the character of Snow White far more agency.
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All 11 Snow White Songs In Disney’s Live-Action Remake, Ranked Worst To Best
Disney’s long-awaited live-action Snow White has a soundtrack filled with both new and classic songs, with some standing out more than others.
This is the movie musical’s “I Want” song. This musical trope refers to any song wherein the protagonist expresses something about their current state of dissatisfaction and their hopes and dreams for the future. Good examples from previous Disney films include songs like The Little Mermaid’s “Part of Your World” and, more recently, “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana. In including this song, the live-action Snow White fits 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 also one 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 vocally, however, because by the end, she shows off her strong belting, transitioning just as her character is more declarative in her wants.
Zegler couples this vocal journey with her character’s emotional one. 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 off less sure of herself as she recounts some of her life story and upbringing. We really 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 is one of Zegler’s strongest sequences in 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 the soundtrack of Snow White is overall. While they include some of the original animated movie’s classic beats, including song moments like “Heigh-Ho,” Pasek and Paul are sure to update the soundtrack from the beloved original film. As such, the film includes 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.
