As a child, I was enchanted by Disney movies. I dressed up as the princesses, sang in my backyard, pretending to be Ariel, I danced with my friends like Belle (I also ascribe my love of reading to her. Thanks Disney!), I searched for Heffalumps and Woozles and I ran around the house shouting, “pink blue pink blue pink blue!” because I loved Flora, Fauna and Merriweather in Sleeping Beauty. In a fun social experiment, for me, atleast, my brother and best friend, Jamie and I recently started a Disney animated movie marathon, to watch all the movies as adults. I thought I’d write down my thoughts during the process.
First up? Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).
Although much of the praise this film receives, may be due to the fact that it was it's creator's first attempt at an animated feature, I think it's obvious merits and artistic triumphs are enough to maintain it's place as a great piece of work.
First, there is the artwork, which is stunning. The color isn't at it's most vibrant, a little bland in the background and almost no use of jeweltones at all, however the styling as a virtual watercolor painting really struck me. The details in the animation never fail to amaze. Just look at the raindrops in the chase sequence towards the end, or the faces carved into the wooden stairs in the dwarves’ house. There is always something to look at.
The characters are of various degrees of interest, with Snow White, probably the least of these. Sometimes I wonder if Disney put any thought into her character, if you call it that. I’m usually really opposed to stories where the heroine’s one fault is that she is simply “too sweet” or “too good.” It makes for bad story telling and bland characters. At some parts of the movie, I almost wished the queen would come and get her just to get her out of the picture.
The dwarfs are all charming, they’re the ones who carry the film during their screentime with the princess. From Doc’s odd and hilarious speech impediment to Grumpy’s bad attitude (Grumpy is totally my favorite). Though, the treatment of the simple one disturbed me a little, I’ll admit. The only drawback is that they, in their goofy adorability, as fun it is to watch, it takes the place of any exposition that could be utilized there. Without the long sequences of marching home from work, finding the monster that cleaned the house, washing for dinner and being kissed by Snow White on the way back to work, the story itself would be 15 minutes long. It seems to me that if Disney had showed us the set up instead of making us read it in the beginning, it would have been a mite longer and a little more interesting.
However, one should not deny, that the true star of this film, is the evil queen. Both in her presence of glamour, (HELLO, look at the cape and sleeve combo she totally rocks and I don’t even have to mention her totally Goldtastic peacock throne) and in her totally bad ass transformation as an old crone, she is fascinating and mesmerizing to watch. I don't believe another Disney villain has ever been both frightening and enchanting, like she has.
There was one minor inconsistency that did bother me. In the beginning when the audience of parents and their illiterate 5 year olds is forced to read the plot, it says that the Evil Queen Badass made Snow White her scullery maid. We are then introduced to Snow White in rags and clogs, washing the courtyard stairs. Okay, no problem there… however, when the Hunstman takes Snow White out into the forest to bump her off, she’s in this pretty dress. What is a scullery maid doing with a dress like that? Sure, it could have been part of her wardrobe from the pre-beauty-despot take over, but even then, why was Snow White wearing it if she was going to go hang out in the dirt, picking flowers and getting herself all gross? Was part of the Queen’s decree to get her all schmancy before she’s snuffed it? Truly evil. Totally awesome.
Lastly, the music in this film is truly memorable. The "Heigh Ho" sequence is visually impressive, and the dwarfs song as they bathe is a really cute. Not to mention Snow White's anthem "Someday My Prince Will Come"; another gem in the Disney library. However, the best song in the whole movie in my opinion is the dwarfs’ Yodel Song (The Silly Song). The upbeat cuteness of it simply makes me smile inspite of myself.
Overall, I had a good time and laughed a great deal. I also had a fun time riffing it. Just a little. All in good fun.
7/10
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