I loved Disney animated movies when I was a wee one. And I was always drawn to the evil queens in them. Now... I'm on the fence with this new release from Disney. The Seven Dwarfs as CGI??? Wouldn't it have been better to pay working actor midgets for the parts? I have no idea who Snow White is, but she does look wholesome and annoying enough like Snow White to get the part. But from what I've seen from many clips, Gal Gadot was a perfect choice for the Evil Queen. When it comes to Wicked Queens----and I have known my fair share kids, having at times been one myself- the evil queen from the 1937 animated classic is unsurpassed. but other than Gal, the rest of the cast is from Nowheresville. She looks like the 1937 Evil Queen come to life, in every detail.
Gal Gadot was working consistently before her breakout role as Wonder Woman, and since then has cemented her place in Hollywood as an action star. This reliance on a certain kind of role and lack of character range has led to some of the criticism pointed towards Gadot...which made her casting as the Evil Queen all the more surprising. Gadot doesn't give the Evil Queen an action make over but plays her from what I hear relatively straight. Despite not having much experience playing villains before taking on the role in Snow White, Gal Gadot's best moments in the film seem to be delicious, she just might have potential playing antagonist. And looks like she played it with gusto. I'm not sure who is casting the villains in these live action movies, but they are brilliant in their job. The first was Angelina Jolie as Maleficent. She NAILED that. The casting and look and evil, the voice and laugh, couldn't have been done better. It was like the animated Maleficent came to life right from the cartoon film.
Then they nailed it again, with the fabulous Cate Blanchett, one of the Casa's all-time favorite actresses, who played Lady Tremaine with comic, snarky, snobbish evil behaviors.
And they did it again, with Emma Stone who portrayed Cruella Devil, who couldn't have been more perfect to play the eccentric, obsessed, manic fashion maven and thief and who adores dalmatian fur. Now that we saw how Cruella became the woman she is, it will be interesting to see how and if they continue to show the more evil and bad Cruella in the forthcoming sequel.
I took a pass on the Little Mermaid. Never was a fan of the movie. And it also didn't feel as dark as the selections here. But I do believe Gal Gadot is going to continue the traditional of bringing home a very striking performance and likeness to the Evil Queen, like her predecessors have done. And who knows, maybe she will start playing more evil roles. I have also loved most of the Batman movie trilogies, so I think Gal could possibly be a shoe in for an excellent Poison Ivy.
I think you're on to something with Gal Godot playing Poison Ivy. We here at the El Apartmento strongly endorse Gal in all things. Mostly the unclothed things.
ReplyDeleteUnclothed things!!! Oh you salacious beings you!!
DeleteI shan't be rushing to see Snow White - yet another (yawn) remake absolutely no-one asked for. Stick to the cartoon. The acting's better. Jx
ReplyDeleteOh these are by no means acting achievements, but the ones that usually play the evil queens have just been so spot on in their casting, and they've each resembled the cartoon villain pretty well.
DeleteFrom Wonder Woman to Evil Queen??? .... it's going to take some time for me to adjust to Gal going evil.
ReplyDeleteWell I will say she sure looks like the evil queen from the animated Snow White, right down to when she turns into the old witch.
DeleteOh I LOVED the Disney cartoons as a little gayling. LOVED THEM.
ReplyDeleteI think Gadot does look the part and playing a baddie? Good for her.
I loved Emma as Cruella. I also wanted all of her clothes, but that's another story...
XOXO
I think Cruella was my favorite right behind Maleficent. Of course I've been called Cruella in the past based on my nasty comments. Work ethic, fashion choices, drinking, and my lovely driving.
DeleteI've always enjoyed Gal Gadot in every movie I've seen her in. I don't know why people diss her as a bad actor. Probably just jealous, or don't like her political views.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen any of these and I would love to. I’ll have to watch them I think without SG.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the live action villains being fabulous ... I still recite Maleficent lines to Carlos ... "How won-dah-ful." and "I, too, shall bestow a gift upon the child."
ReplyDeleteI don't plan on seeing Snow White, especially now that I know the dwarfs are CGI. What a dumb thing to do.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
And we know you've been evil queen of times. I remember when we work together, people used to call you Cruella Deville. Here Comes Cruella make sure everything's straighten I neat.
ReplyDeleteI saw all these movies if for no other reason just to see how the actors did playing the evil part. So far they've all nailed it.
Yes I remember that. But you have to admit my areas always looks very pristine.
DeleteI will always have Disney's Snow White as my bench mark.
ReplyDeleteSx
You? An Evil Queen?
ReplyDeleteOh you should have been around me when I worked at Bloomingdale's. When I came through my areas of the store it was like Cruella or Joan Crawford coming through. And everything better be in place!!
DeleteDon't forget Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. Now there's an evil queen there.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Glenn Close will always be Cruella DeVille.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever saw that version of 101 Dalmatians. I should watch it I like Glenn Close.
DeleteEmma Stone is a wonder in Cruella. I hope there is a sequel. Didn't care for Jolie though. Too much CGI. It got in the way and the story wasn't compelling. I'm still kind of anti-Disney. They surprise on occasion, but its all fast food movies as far as I am concerned... merchandise, merchandise, merchandise.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you a lot of the time I'm usually very anti-disney because it's so sugary sweet bubblegum pop I can't take it. But I did like the old animation films when we were little. I think I'm always fascinated to see how well they will emulate the feel of the villains in live action films. I thought Cate Blanchett as lady Tremaine was absolutely stunning, although she didn't look as dastardly as the one in the animated Cinderella. I think they should have gave her the gray updo with the white streak.
DeleteEver see Enchanted? There you have Susan Sarandon as both an animated and a live-action evil queen.
ReplyDeleteI heard of that movie but I don't think I've ever seen it. I used to love on ABC and show that ran about 8 years called Once Upon a Time. I loved that show.
DeleteApparently Peter Dinklage spoke out against dwarf actors as the Seven and Disney caved to the CGI idea
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't support the CGI over the employment of Little People who have lives and families. I too like Gal Gadot though. As far as evil queens and witches go; I wish I could launch a thousand flying monkeys at President Bonespurs and his minions! Hrrrmft!
ReplyDeleteAs I slowly become Wicked again I'm going to make sure I put spells on them!!!!!
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