As White As Snow

That title might be a bit misleading since I'm up at Rexburg, you might think I'm writing about winter or something. Not so. Well, actually, speaking of Rexburg, I've had a boat-load of homework and assignments. It can get a bit overwhelming and sometimes I need a break. Sometimes I just go out of my room to eat something, talk to my roommates and/or whomever's in my apartment, go for a walk, or watch a movie/show. On the subject of the latter, I've recently taken to watching lame fairytale adaptions. You know, Ella Enchanted-type films. I got to the Snow White ones and remembered 2012 when all the Snow White adaptions came out.

What is it about that particular fairytale? It's one of the ultimate classics that literally everyone knows along with Cinderella. I don't think it's just because Disney's adapted it, but there's something else about it. The romance, the magic, the symbolism, good vs. evil, the classic witch, a princess, true love's kiss…

I know you're all just dying for it, so I've compiled all the versions of the Snow White story I've seen (which just happens to be 5) from worst to best.

5) Snow White and the Huntsman

Not only is this the worst Snow White adaption I've seen, it's one of the worst films I've ever seen. And I do not say that lightly. It was just so confused with where it wanted to put the focus. Was it on the characters? The action? The romance? It certainly wasn't on the plot, I can tell you that much. It continuously threw in so many new plot points then threw them away immediately afterwards because… no, I can't even say they were necessary for the moment. They were always just there to give it more action and/or to show off special effects. I very, very rarely will skip through a movie, but I did in this one because I was just so bored. I skipped most of the climatic battle because I just didn't care. Also, it changed the original fairytale too much and in weird ways. I mean, I'm all about fresh ideas and new takes, but when it's done poorly and the ideas are just dumb… then no. The one thing I will give it is that the special effects were pretty impressive, unnecessary most of the time and confusing, but still impressive.
Snow White is played by Kristen Stewart. I actually thought she did pretty well. She can actually act despite her robotic performances in the Twilight series. However, the movie continuously says that she is sweet and innocent… Um, no. Her actions keep speaking against her and by the end, she very much is not.

4) Mirror Mirror

I actually kind of enjoyed this one. It was a pretty bad movie by most people's standards (and quite frankly, by a lot of my own standards). It was predictable, tried too hard to be "original" to the point of bizarre, was very much on the "girl power" train, and was a little goofy. But I still enjoyed it. I had fun watching it. The costumes are so over the top and strange and it just adds to to its enjoyability. I wasn't annoyed by most of the changes it made to the original story like I was with Snow White and the Huntsman (the only one was with the apple, I was a bit disappointed). Other than that, I don't really have any complaints, it's just a quirky and bizarre flick which I sort of liked.
Snow White is played by Lily Collins. At first, I didn't like her, but second time around, I thought she did in fact capture the sweet innocence of Snow White very well. I just don't know about her bangs.

3) Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The first adaption I ever saw and probably the reason most people know the story. This version gets such a bad wrap and I don't know why. Have you people watched it recently? It's actually pretty good. When you're a kid watching it, it's probably not very entertaining because there's not a lot of bright colors, upbeat songs, a fast pace story, slapstick, and Snow White has kind of an annoying voice. However, I watched it recently now that I'm grown up and it's actually a pretty impressive film, especially for being the very first full-length animated film. The story is engaging, the dwarfs are each unique and interesting, the queen is intimidating and a total boss, the backgrounds and designs are beautiful, the songs are actually quite good (yes, even "Someday My Prince Will Come", just look past the voice). The climax is super intense, and that funeral scene has got to be one of the saddest scenes I have ever watched! I mean seriously, you don't notice this stuff when you're a kid. It's a pretty good movie!
Snow White is voiced by Adriana Caselotti. Yeah, she doesn't have the most amazing voice especially when she sings. She does manage to portray the character though and that's what matters.

2) Sydney White

Not many people have heard of this movie which is a real shame. It's a modern take on the classic fairytale. I'll just give a brief overview of the plot: Sydney White is kicked out of her sorority house by the controlling president, Rachel Witchburn. With nowhere to go, Sydney finds shelter with seven campus outcasts at their residence, the Vortex. Rachel threatens to tear down the Vortex to make way for a new sorority spa. Sydney rallies together the seven dorks to run for student council against Rachel. Simultaneously, Sydney catches the eye of frat boy, Tyler Prince.
Honestly, it is just a cute, cheesy little movie, not a giant production with an amazing script, special effects, fantastic costumes, or any of that. It is very enjoyable though and the Snow White story is very well incorporated into modern times. I love that sort of thing. I like seeing a classic story reimagined in a different setting (especially if it's done well, which this one is). The way the poison apple is done, "heigh-ho", how the magic mirror is portrayed and the "fairest in the land", "it's looking grim, brothers", and so on. It just made me laugh.
Sydney White (the Snow White character) is played by Amanda Bynes. She's always a laugh. She plays her part very well. She's very good at portraying awkward tom-boyish characters.

1) Once Upon a Time

I'm surprised this is at the top of my list since I fell out of love with this show a while back. But I do have to admit that I really, really enjoyed how they handled the Snow White story. I don't know if they did anything further with the story since I stopped watching (I can't imagine they did since it seemed wrapped up). The story was very fleshed out and thought out. Even though there were some changes made, I still enjoyed it. There was background given to the characters and situations: how the queen became queen and why she hated Snow White, how Snow and the prince met and fell in love, why Snow ate the apple, Snow's relationship with the dwarfs, the huntsman's story, what Snow did after the huntsman let her go, and so on. It was a very good story.
Snow White is played by Ginnifer Goodwin. She certainly looks the part. She can be a tad bit over the top sometimes, but then it is a very dramatic show. I like her in the role.