The Movie Guru: Live-action ‘Snow White’ mostly charming, while ‘Black Bag’ a twisty delight

Snow White (in theaters)

Don’t judge a Snow White by her hairstyle.

Though Disney saddled her with a deeply unfortunate bob, Rachel Zegler does a fantastic job as the lead in the new live-action “Snow White.” She embodies all the goodness, grace and charm of the original animated character, easily commanding the screen whenever she’s on it. She also has a beautiful voice, making the most out of both the classic songs and those written for the new movie. She’s a true Disney princess in human form.

Almost the entire rest of the movie tries valiantly to rise to her level. The plot changes are mostly excellent, the new songs are mostly really good, and the new love interest is an absolute delight. Andrew Burnap is charming as Jonathan, a rouge who is more Flynn Rider than handsome prince, and he and Zegler are wonderfully sweet and sparky together.

There’s even a good message, about being kind and working together instead of giving up and only looking out for ourselves. It’s definitely an idea the world needs right now, and Zegler and Burnap in particular sell it in a way that makes it feel worth listening to.

The only real weak spot in the movie is Gal Gadot, who is utterly inadequate as the Wicked Queen. There’s exactly one throwaway line that she manages to deliver in a mildly chilling fashion, though that may be more the line itself than her delivery. Beyond that she’s nothing more than a woman playing dress up.

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The rest of the movie deserves more than she’s able to offer. 

Grade: Three stars

Black Bag (in theaters)

A conversation can be far more dangerous than a weapon.

That’s definitely the case with “Black Bag,” a spy thriller with only a single gunshot and explosion. Director Steven Soderbergh doesn’t skimp on the tension however, packing the sleek 93-minute movie full of dialogue that’s sharp as a knife. Though that can sometimes leave scenes feeling a little too arch — a common problem with Soderbergh movies — it’s also got plenty of genuine thrills. The twists come thick and fast enough you may need to watch the movie twice to catch them all, but there’s also a sneaky core of genuine emotion.

In the movie, Michael Fassbender plays a spy who serves as something of a human lie detector. When he’s told there’s a traitor on his team, a group that includes his beloved wife, he invites everyone to a dinner party that is also an investigation. As tensions rise and secrets come out, it gets harder and harder to figure out where the real danger is coming from.

Fassbender is clearly channeling a young Michael Caine, specifically from “The Ipcress File.” Though his performance may come across as too restrained at times, he adds careful, subtle nuances that suggest hidden depths. Kate Blanchette’s character has her own iciness, but it’s far easier to see the passion that swells beneath her surface.

Their moves against each other are the main battle of the movie, but their relationship is also the heart of it. When you’re a spy, trying to kill someone doesn’t mean you don’t love them.

Grade: Three and a half stars

Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Denver Film Critics Society. Find her on Twitter at @wardellwriter or drop her a line at themovieguruslc@gmail.com.