Positive—I went to see this movie the day it came out and did not have very high expectations. Most adaptations of fairytales fall short of portraying the moral messages contained in the original versions. Fortunately, I was not disappointed with this one! The film incorporates an undisguised Christian moral worldview, as well as symbolism and allegory akin to C.S. Lewis’s tales of Narnia. Evil is shown as evil, and good is shown as good, with no relativism. Early in the film, Snow White is seen praying and recites the Lord’s Prayer entirely. The “Dark Forest” is a place where fear attempts to envelop the mind, yet a place the dwarfs call “Sanctuary”, depicts an idyllic forest setting where a white deer (similar to Lewis’s Aslan) bows over Snow White to bless her.
There are references to the need for having “eyes that see” and the charge to actively pursue what is right. The filmmaking is incredibly skillful, from the impressive costumes and superb actors to the subtle lighting and enchanting scenery. A warning should be heeded though; this movie is NOT for children. The film’s portrayal of evil gives it a very dark quality at times.