RED SHOES AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (2019)

Summary:

Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs (released simply as Red Shoes in South Korea) is a 2019 South Korean computer-animated fantasy-adventure comedy film written and directed by Sung-ho Hong and produced by SuJin Hwang and HyungSoon Kim under the banners of Locus Corporation and Sidus Animation. Featuring character designs led by former Disney animator Jin Kim, the film features an acclaimed English-language voice cast headlined by Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Claflin, Gina Gershon, Patrick Warburton, and Jim Rash. Serving as a witty, body-positive subversion of traditional fairy tales—specifically the Brothers Grimm's Snow White and Hans Christian Andersen's The Red Shoes—the story follows a selfless, strong-willed princess whose magical red shoes transform her into a slender maiden. When she seeks the help of seven heroic princes who have been cursed to look like green dwarfs whenever anyone looks at them, both she and the princes embark on a humor-filled journey to uncover the true meaning of beauty and love. Keywords: Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs 2019, Chloe Grace Moretz Snow White, Sam Claflin Merlin, Sung ho Hong Director, Body Positive Animated Film, Locus Corporation Sidus Animation.

Plot:

The story of Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs opens in the mythical realm of Fairy Tale Island, where a legendary band of handsome, heroic princes known as the "Fearless Seven"—comprising the lightning-wielding Merlin, the sword-master Arthur, the suave Jack, the pastry-chef Hans, and the inventive identical triplets Pino, Noki, and Kio—rescue a princess from a terrifying dragon. However, upon seeing the princess's green face, the vain and superficial heroes mistake her for a wicked witch and violently attack her. To teach the arrogant princes a lesson about superficiality and judging others by their looks, the fairy princess places an inescapable curse upon them: whenever human eyes are upon them, they are instantly transformed into chubby, green-skinned dwarfs. The only way to permanently break the curse and regain their handsome human forms is to earn a kiss from the "most beautiful woman in the world."

Meanwhile, in the neighboring kingdom, the kind-hearted, strong, and slightly plus-sized Princess Snow White returns to her royal palace after a long absence, only to discover that her beloved father, King White, has mysteriously vanished. The kingdom is now under the oppressive rule of her glamorous, narcissistic stepmother, Queen Regina. Regina has been secretly using dark magic and harvesting enchanted apple trees to create a pair of magical red shoes that can grant her permanent youth and flawless beauty. Investigating her father's secluded study, Snow White discovers his secret diary, which warns her never to touch the glowing red shoes hanging from the branches of an apple tree in the courtyard. In a moment of urgency to escape Regina's guards, Snow White accidentally puts the shoes on, instantly triggering a magical physical transformation that turns her into a tall, slender version of herself.

Realizing that the shoes have altered her appearance, Snow White escapes the castle using her newfound agility, leaving a furious Queen Regina behind. When Regina discovers her prized shoes are gone, she commands her sentient, cynical Magic Mirror and her palace guards to track down the princess at all costs. Snow White wanders into the deep forest and stumbles upon a cozy cottage belonging to the Seven Dwarfs. When the cursed Fearless Seven return home and see the strikingly beautiful young woman standing in their living room, Snow White introduces herself using the pseudonym "Red Shoes" to hide her royal identity. Captivated by her breathtaking appearance, each of the seven dwarfs immediately attempts to woo her, believing that her kiss is the golden key to breaking their green dwarf curse.

Recognizing their combat skills, Red Shoes asks the seven dwarfs to help her track down her missing father. Merlin and Arthur become the primary rivals for her affection, with Merlin attempting to impress her using his magical paper charms and lightning spells. However, as they travel across the kingdom, Merlin and Red Shoes begin to form a genuine, quiet emotional connection that transcends physical attraction. Through shared conversations, Red Shoes teaches Merlin to value inner kindness and empathy over superficial heroism, while Merlin admires her raw physical strength, gentle heart, and unyielding loyalty to her father. Along their journey, they encounter a colossal, gentle wooden bunny in the forest, which Merlin patiently tames and adopts as a member of their traveling group.

The quest grows increasingly complicated as multiple factions close in on them. Prince Average, a vain, petty regional prince throwing an extravagant birthday celebration, hires Queen Regina's guards and the Magic Mirror to capture "Red Shoes" so he can force her to be his trophy date for the party. During a high-stakes ambush by Prince Average's armored knights, Red Shoes's secret is nearly exposed. In a quiet moment alone near a river, Red Shoes slips off the magical footwear, reverting back to her natural, plus-sized form. Merlin accidentally witnesses this change, initially leaving him stunned and confused. However, as he reflects on their journey, Merlin realizes that his feelings for her have nothing to do with the magical illusion of the red shoes; he has fallen deeply in love with the sweet, courageous person she is on the inside.

The narrative reaches a dramatic peak when Queen Regina uses her dark magic to locate the group. Regina ambushes Red Shoes, capturing Merlin and threatening to execute him unless Red Shoes surrenders the magical shoes and eats a poisoned apple. To save Merlin's life, Red Shoes willingly sacrifices her freedom, slipping off the shoes and consuming the apple. The dark magic transforms her into a new, magical apple tree, from which Regina intends to harvest fresh, permanent beauty shoes. Heartbroken and desperate, Merlin breaks free with the help of the other dwarfs, the wooden bunny, and three magical wooden bear cubs. Together, they launch a daring assault on Regina's castle, where they confront the queen and destroy the Magic Mirror once and for all.

In the final, thrilling showdown atop the castle parapets, Merlin sacrifices himself to defeat Queen Regina, dragging the evil queen down into the abyss below the castle walls as her dark magic collapses. With Regina's death, her dark curses dissolve across the land: the giant wooden bunny transforms back into King White, and the wooden bear cubs revert into human children. Snow White rushes to the fallen Merlin's side, weeping over his lifeless body and kissing him tenderly on the lips. Her kiss of true, selfless love breaks the green dwarf curse, reviving Merlin and restoring him to his true, handsome human form. When Merlin opens his eyes, he sees Snow White standing before him in her natural, plus-sized form without the red shoes. Looking into her eyes, Merlin smiles gently and tells her that she is, and always will be, the most beautiful woman in the world to him. The film concludes on a joyful, celebratory note as Snow White is reunited with her father, and the Fearless Seven celebrate their newfound understanding of genuine love, proving that true beauty is found within the heart.

Cast:

• Chloë Grace Moretz as Princess Snow White / "Red Shoes" (The selfless, strong-willed princess)

• Sam Claflin as Merlin (The lightning-wielding leader of the Fearless Seven)

• Gina Gershon as Queen Regina (The vain, dark-sorceress stepmother)

• Patrick Warburton as The Magic Mirror (Regina's sarcastic, sentient mirror)

• Jim Rash as Prince Average (The selfish, pampered prince)

• Simon Kassianides as Arthur (The sword-master prince and Merlin's rival)

• Nolan North as Hans (The pastry-chef prince) / King White (Snow's loving father) / Twin Guards

• Frank Todaro as Pino, Noki, and Kio (The inventive triplet princes)

• Frederik Hamel as Jack (The suave French-accented prince)

• Ava Kolker as Wooden Bear Cub 1

• Asher Blinkoff as Wooden Bear Cub 2

• Juju Journey Brener as Wooden Bear Cub 3

• Brian T. Delaney as Big Bunny / Sculptor

• Piotr Michael as Armored Knight A

• Benjamin Diskin as Armored Knight B

Crew:

• Director: Sung-ho Hong

• Co-Directors: Moo-Hyun Jang, Young Sik Uhm

• Writer: Sung-ho Hong (Screenplay based on Snow White by the Brothers Grimm and The Red Shoes by Hans Christian Andersen)

• Producers: SuJin Hwang, HyungSoon Kim

• Executive Producers: Myun-young Jung, Jiyeon Lee

• Production Company: Locus Corporation, Sidus Animation Studios

• Character Designer / Animation Director: Jin Kim

• Music Composer: Geoff Zanelli

• Editors: Jessica Rojas Ambinder, Young Sik Uhm, Stan Webb

• Art Directors: Jung Chi-yeol, SeoKi Lee

• Casting Directors: Matthew Jon Beck, Micah Dahlberg

Release Info:

• Original Theatrical Release Date: July 25, 2019 (South Korea)

• US Digital / VOD Release Date: September 18, 2020 (Lionsgate)

• Original Languages: English and Korean

• Genre: Animated / Fantasy / Comedy / Family Adventure

• Running Time: 93 Minutes (1 Hour 33 Minutes)

• Censor Certification: PG (United States)

• Box Office: $9.7 Million (Global)

• Distribution: Next Entertainment World (South Korea) / Lionsgate (United States)