++SPOILERS AHEAD++
I'll say this now – this film isn't for everyone. It depicts a style of fairy-tale closer to The Brothers Grimm, in parts, than the normal family fantasy sold by Disney. This becomes clear just over half way through the film, so the transition can be quite jarring for some, but ultimately it serves the film well.
'Into The Woods' is a film adaptation of a Sondheim stage musical, so naturally some of the spirit will be lost in translation, but it stands up on its own. The story begins with a hectic, interwoven musical performance which introduces each character succinctly and without really missing anything, and then sees each of them venture into the woods as part of their 'wish'. All of the characters face obstacles and encounter other characters in the woods (including Johnny Depp as a very dapper Wolf for all of 7 or 8 minutes). They see their wishes come true, but unlike most other fantasy films of this sort the consequences become very dark and a happy ending seems too much to hope for.
The cast is mostly well-assembled; James Corden and Emily Blunt (The Baker and his Wife) who have had some singing experience, are surprisingly competent singers and hold their own well against other musical heavy-hitters like Anna Kendrick (Cinderella), Tracy Ullman (Jack's Mother), Christine Baranski (Cinderella's Stepmother) and Meryl Streep (The Witch), who quite rightly owns every scene she's in. The wild cards of the film are the younger actors Lilla Crawford (Riding Hood) and Daniel Huttlestone (Jack), who despite their age act well enough for this - at times hammy - production and have the vocals to back it up. Some of the musical numbers fall flat but the good ones are great.
Because of the ensemble it can be difficult to focus on one character to follow or like, but this won't necessarily hurt the viewing experience. Special mentions to Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen (Prince Charming and Rapunzel's Prince, respectively) for a very humorous rendition of 'Agony' that sees the brothers trying to one-up each other repeatedly.
On the whole I found 'Into the Wood's thoroughly enjoyable. I'm not the biggest fan of musicals or musical films but I appreciated this one; solid acting, mostly decent songs and a charming, whimsical plot which takes a sinister turn when the actions of the main characters come back to haunt them. Meryl Streep is the highlight of this film, and her singing 'The Last Midnight' offers a dramatic and chilling perspective from the 'villain' point of view.
I'd recommend the film, just not to everyone.
I'll say this now – this film isn't for everyone. It depicts a style of fairy-tale closer to The Brothers Grimm, in parts, than the normal family fantasy sold by Disney. This becomes clear just over half way through the film, so the transition can be quite jarring for some, but ultimately it serves the film well.
'Into The Woods' is a film adaptation of a Sondheim stage musical, so naturally some of the spirit will be lost in translation, but it stands up on its own. The story begins with a hectic, interwoven musical performance which introduces each character succinctly and without really missing anything, and then sees each of them venture into the woods as part of their 'wish'. All of the characters face obstacles and encounter other characters in the woods (including Johnny Depp as a very dapper Wolf for all of 7 or 8 minutes). They see their wishes come true, but unlike most other fantasy films of this sort the consequences become very dark and a happy ending seems too much to hope for.
The cast is mostly well-assembled; James Corden and Emily Blunt (The Baker and his Wife) who have had some singing experience, are surprisingly competent singers and hold their own well against other musical heavy-hitters like Anna Kendrick (Cinderella), Tracy Ullman (Jack's Mother), Christine Baranski (Cinderella's Stepmother) and Meryl Streep (The Witch), who quite rightly owns every scene she's in. The wild cards of the film are the younger actors Lilla Crawford (Riding Hood) and Daniel Huttlestone (Jack), who despite their age act well enough for this - at times hammy - production and have the vocals to back it up. Some of the musical numbers fall flat but the good ones are great.
Because of the ensemble it can be difficult to focus on one character to follow or like, but this won't necessarily hurt the viewing experience. Special mentions to Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen (Prince Charming and Rapunzel's Prince, respectively) for a very humorous rendition of 'Agony' that sees the brothers trying to one-up each other repeatedly.
On the whole I found 'Into the Wood's thoroughly enjoyable. I'm not the biggest fan of musicals or musical films but I appreciated this one; solid acting, mostly decent songs and a charming, whimsical plot which takes a sinister turn when the actions of the main characters come back to haunt them. Meryl Streep is the highlight of this film, and her singing 'The Last Midnight' offers a dramatic and chilling perspective from the 'villain' point of view.
I'd recommend the film, just not to everyone.