Into the Woods (2014) User Reviews

Less than perfect with a very problematic second half but does not deserve anywhere near the amount of hate it's gotten

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 24 January 2015]

Granted, the film was misleadingly advertised(where I came from though the advertising made it very clear that it was a musical) for some people who clearly had no prior knowledge of the source material and, as is apparent in a lot of the reviews here, Stephen Sondheim's music is not for all tastes, so the dislike is understandable. But as someone who's a fan of musicals, one of those who likes Sondheim, who considers Into the Woods as one of his best and as a fan of the production with Bernadette Peters, while it has its problems to me this film was enjoyable. While as said before the dislike is understandable I do think the amount of hatred it's gotten is over-the-top(this is nowhere near the worst movie ever by any stretch of the imagination) and unfair(mostly from people who didn't know it was a musical or those who have a stereotypical view as to what a Disney film should be like).

Into the Woods has a very problematic second half, not all of it is so but a lot of it is, enough to make it an issue. The first half was witty, upbeat, colourful and mostly close to the story of the musical, but the second half slackens in pace a little and the tone shifts rather discordantly to something darker and less cohesive due to cutting things that would have made it make more sense. The second act of Into the Woods is dark in the first place(and there are people who do find the second act heavy for them) but not to this extent, never did it feel like two different shows. It also did a much better job balancing any tone shifts, and is funnier and more poignant than in the film version. Agony is hilarious and Children Will Listen evokes a lot of pathos here so the film is not devoid of those qualities, just that they're stronger in the musical, and those qualities would have come stronger here if the second Agony and No More were kept intact. Lilla Crawford is also obnoxiously shrill and a complete blank expressions-wise as Little Red Riding Hood.

On the other hand, Into the Woods is great-looking stuff, loved the beautiful but creepy and colourful but foreboding woods setting as well as the cinematography which was a delicious mix of dream-like and macabre. Sondheim's music here has been criticised for being forgettable and samey, criticisms that I do not agree with at all, if anything does repeat itself it's called a motif which Sondheim uses a lot. The score is rousing, beautiful and haunting and of the songs The Last Midnight, Agony and Children Will Listen particularly stand out here, which all have completely different moods to one another. The lyrics are some of Sondheim's smartest and more complex as well, funny as well as meaningful. All the musical numbers are charmingly and cleverly staged, especially Agony and The Last Midnight. Hello Little Girl will be too much for some and the creepiness is a little overdone and disconcerting here, Johnny Depp acts it brilliantly though. Rob Marshall shows great technical skill as a director and captures the mood of the musical more than competently. And apart from Crawford the cast are excellent with Meryl Streep's imposing Witch(she kills The Last Midnight and thrillingly), Chris Pine's hilarious Prince and Emily Blunt's nuanced and heartfelt Baker's Wife. Anna Kendrick is a charming Cinderella, James Corden endears as the Baker, Daniel Huttlestone does admirably despite Jack being written incompletely and Johnny Depp is very memorable, his Wolf is certainly not one to trust, in his short screen time.

To conclude, Into the Woods is problematic but doesn't deserve anywhere near the amount of vehement hatred it's gotten on here, and it's far superior to the mediocre at best Annie also from 2014. It's not for everybody but judging from the reviews it's like it's almost illegal to like the film let alone love it. 6.5/10 Bethany Cox

Way too long

[riggo-73503 · 5/10 · 25 December 2021]

Upto half way it's great. The storyline is well packed and music is top notch... then it suddenly reaches a point of viewer asking why on earth hasn't it ended there.

"Into The Woods" Is Terrible Adaptation Of Hit Musical

[andy-66447 · 4/10 · 24 August 2015]

I love Stephen Sondheim's musical classic Into The Woods, so I was more than excited to see Rob Marshall's new motion picture adaptation. Not only is Into The Woods one of my favorite musicals, but Rob Marshall was the director who brought Kander & Ebb's Chicago to the big screen in 2002 – an effort which resulted in the first musical to win the Best Picture Oscar since 1968! In fact, since Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge update in 2001, several major musicals have been successfully adapted to the big screen – including Chicago, Dreamgirls, and the unfairly criticized Les Miserables just two years ago.

I hate to say it, but Into The Woods does not fall into this category. I found the film dreary, draggy, and quite frankly, boring. How can this be? It's the same dialogue, the same music, the same set, and the same costumes as we see on stage. But therein lay the problem. On stage, set designers create "the woods," and the actors move in and out of these woods. We use our imagination to pretend the woods are larger than what we see on stage. Here, the woods are huge. After all, these are the movies. Unfortunately, the woods all look the same. Marshall may as well have filmed a stage performance. Furthermore, the sky is always cloudy, giving the picture a dirty, dingy feel.

Into these woods, several classic stories interconnect, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & The Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. Tying all the stories together is the story of a baker and his wife, who are unable to conceive a child due to a curse placed on them by the witch who lives next door. On stage, characters from the various fairy tales bump into one another in hilarious fashion, and eventually all the loose ends are wrapped up and most of the characters live happily ever after.

But the film has one major flaw, and that is that the loose ends are tied up too soon. The sun finally shines on Cinderella's wedding day, as all the townsfolk join the celebration. I looked at my watch and realized we were only an hour Into The Woods, causing me to wonder what director Rob Marshall was going to do with the rest of the movie. On stage, Cinderella's wedding is merely a formality – a necessary conclusion to the story we all know, but certainly not the end of the musical. Here, Marshall gives the wedding scene such heft – and differentiates it from the previous hour's worth of material – that we feel like it's time to get up and leave.

At this point, the film version goes awry. The players begin behaving out of character for reasons never explained. For instance, how could the handsome prince consider Cinderella the love of his life one day, and then cheat on her the next? Why does Jack's mother die? (Her death is one of the funniest scenes on stage. Here, it happens so quickly, I wasn't even sure if she had died or not. And Jack's demeanor doesn't change one iota.) Another problem is Stephen Sondheim himself. You see, Sondheim is a lyricist. When he wrote the lyrics for Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, the result was one of the best stage and screen musicals of all time. But when Sondheim writes his own melodies, the result is often wordy, tuneless ditties you won't remember two minutes after leaving the theatre. Again, on stage this is no big deal. In fact, it almost accentuates the material to feature the characters speaking and singing in similar speech patterns. But on screen, I had that, "Not another song!" feeling all through the third act – the way I did with Barbra Streisand's Yentl back in 1983.

I certainly can't knock the performances, although Anna Kendrick's remarkable turn as Cinderella is the only one that stands out from the rest. Her character seems genuine, and she gives Cinderella a few new dimensions, rather than simply fulfilling the role we think we know from the fairy tale. Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep has been nominated for another Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as the witch. She's fine, but she won't win. I could name at least a dozen Streep performances better than this one.

It's a disappointment to me that Into The Woods didn't adapt better to the big screen. That makes three films this season that I really wanted to like, and was disappointed at the outcome – Birdman, Inherent Vice, and now Into The Woods. Throughout the course of motion picture history, it often seems as though the best musicals are those written directly for the screen, such as Singin' In The Rain or Mary Poppins. Adapting material from another source is always risky. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. As I've thought more about Into The Woods, I wonder if this isn't one of those musicals that simply wasn't meant to adapt to the screen. Remember Richard Attenborough's inexcusable A Chorus Line? That's another great, intimate show that simply doesn't work on the large easel of the motion picture screen. I fear that's what we have here with Into The Woods.

Warning! This is a musical!

[isaacglover_05 · 6/10 · 19 January 2015]

Half the hate reviews I'm seeing on this website are all saying "The trailers didn't announce that it was a musical". 1. The music in the trailer is the character's singing voices! Please pick up on that! 2. Yes, it is a musical. I really don't see how a movie can get so much hate just because they didn't know it was a musical! At least try to appreciate the music in it instead of just hating it because you don't like actual singing. 3. THIS WAS ORIGINALLY BASED ON A STAGE PLAY BACK IN THE 80'S, OF COURSE IT IS GOING TO BE FREAKING LONG! Honestly the people act as if they've never sat through a 2 hour movie before! Schindler's List was over 3 hours and that is a freaking masterpiece, but god forbid a musical being just over two hours. 4. If you came in to just see Johnny Depp: Stop being so stupid and be warned he's only in the movie for 5 minutes. 5. IT'S PG-13! It warns you that some scenes will frighten young children. However if you think that the movie version is disturbing then don't take your kids to the stage play!

In my opinion. I loved this version just as much as the stage play. I have high hopes for Lilla Crawford and that she gets more roles in other movies. Her voice was phenomenal and Stephen Sondheim's musicals are a bit of a challenge to play in. So my respects to her. Anna Kendrick's voice was amazing, and she played a brilliant Cinderella. Meryl Streep is brilliant as always. Emily Blunt had a hidden talent I wasn't aware of. The two men (forgot the names sorry) who played the two prince's had great voices too! I could go through the cast and break down on their talent, but I think I'd go over the 1, 000 word count.

But please be warned, this is a musical. I believe it is a great musical and I really want others to give it a chance. It sucks that that the rating is 6.6 and I'm afraid it will get lower :(

10/10

Save your money

[jlockwood30 · 1/10 · 1 January 2015]

For those who liked the play save your money and go see the play. This film was a poor adaptation with maddening unsympathetic characters. The extreme efforts and great acting of individuals could not make up for the horrible script, pedophilia and rape undertones, and horrible moral guidance. The songs are all sung in the near same tone and were poorly integrated with the action. This is the first film in 30 years I've wanted to throw my drink at, yell boo, and leave. I gutted out the last of the film to give an honest review. The film was so horrible it motivated me to open an account and review it. The premise was interesting and brought me in. The cast kept me sitting, hoping it got better. I can't get that time back. A very poor film for children, annoying and maddening for adults. With plot holes and inexplicable insertions. The cast tried their hardest and individually acted well but the film direction, production, script, and song lyrics made for a horrible product. The visuals were the only redeeming value. And not to spoil but the moral lessons are questionable at best.

Wonderful musical and great film adaptation!

[makingwaves-184-509826 · 10/10 · 23 March 2015]

Okay, first of all, let me address the 1-star crowd. Yes, it's a musical. How could you not know that it was...this musical's been around for nearly THIRTY YEARS NOW! Ahem. Okay, yes, it has dark elements, including references to pedophilia. THIS WAS IN THE ORIGINAL MUSICAL! In fact, Disney toned it down severely! Horrible score? Tell that to Sondheim - he wrote the pieces (and won awards for them)...sigh. Some people just don't "get it".

This is the first film adaptation of "Into the Woods". Several others had been contemplated, worked out, even started casting for, but this is the only one that was ever completed...NOT because it was "horrible" "awful", or whatever, but because it was such a daunting task! I thought that this movie was a wonderful work of art that addresses a lot of life issues (after all, Sondheim is also a noted psychologist). Others were upset that it was a musical. Oh, boo-hoo. People are singing their lines. How un-Disney-like.

Okay, I will agree with one point: It is NOT your typical Disney fairy tale. Nope. Not at all. Instead, it's more true to the original Brothers Grimm stories...let me repeat that...true to the original Brothers Grimm...if you don't know what I'm speaking of, if you think Snow White was about dancing dwarfs and tweeting birds, then you really need to visit a library.

People are screaming up and down that this is most definitely NOT a family film. Um...hello? Do you even know what "PG" stands for? It means "Parental Guidance suggested"...this means that you, as a parent, should decide if it's right for your child to view. In other words, BE A PARENT! Sheesh...

Okay, enough of that.

"Into the Woods" is a musical. If you don't like musicals, don't watch it.

"Into the Woods" is a blending of different fairy tales from their original DARK, FOREBODING, DISTURBING perspectives. If you want butterflies and songbirds and happily-ever-after, go watch the earlier Disney greats.

"Into the Woods" is dark. It's creepy. It's disturbing...and it's great. You just need to be in the proper frame of mind. I knew what I was getting into, and I loved it. If you're expecting "heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work we go", you aren't going to like it.

This movie isn't for everyone, true enough, but for those of us who "get it", it's WONDERFUL!

I Know Things Now

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 23 December 2014]

Greetings again from the darkness. It's a musical, but not a typical musical. It's a fairy tale, but not a typical fairy tale. It's funny, but not a typical comedy. It's a bit frightening, but not a typical monster film. It's filled with lessons of morality and responsibility, but certainly not a typical parable. In fact, there is nothing typical about director Rob Marshall's (Oscar winner for Chicago) screen adaptation of the smash Broadway hit from Stephen Sondheim and James Lupine.

The story revolves around 4 classic Fairy Tales: Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, in a style much more similar in tone to the edgy Brothers Grimm, than the cuddly Walt Disney traditionals. These four are intertwined with the saga of a baker (James Cordon) and his wife (Emily Blunt) who discover they have been unable to have children due to a long ago spell cast by a wicked witch (Meryl Streep). With a secret agenda, the witch offers the couple a way to break the spell, and that's what ties-in the four tales and provides a reason for adventure and song.

Filmed seamlessly between an elaborate sound stage and a couple of park locations, the film has a dark and eerie feel to it that's probably too intense for younger children. And much of the dialogue and lyrics is aimed directly at adults and will be a blur to kids. Additionally, in typical Sondheim fashion, the songs aren't catchy and melodic in the manner of most movie musicals … instead the lyrics propel the story and help shape the characters. Oh, and by the way, don't expect any fancy dance sequences – this is pretty serious stuff with plenty of angst amongst the characters.

Ms. Streep is extraordinary as the witch (both nasty and beautiful) and does a terrific job with her three main songs. She is especially fun in her entrances and exits, and while wearing the most impactful of all the costumes. Emily Blunt also handles her vocals very well and offers up some of the film's most witty dialogue. Chris Pine (as the Prince) is flat out hilarious, and with a twinkle in his eye, spouts lines such as "I was raised to be charming, not sincere". He also shares the screen with Billy Magnussen (playing the younger brother) in the most audacious of the musical numbers, "Agony". As Cinderella, Anna Kendrick once again proves she is an exceptionally talented singer, and James Cordon anchors the production as the nice guy village baker we are rooting for.

In supporting roles, we have a devilish Johnny Depp whose screen time as the Big Bad Wolf is quite limited, and a perfectly cast Christine Baranski as the evil step-mother in cahoots with her non-Cinderella daughters played by Lucy Punch and Tammy Blanchard. Lilla Crawford is Little Red Riding Hood, and her young age snuffs out much of the innuendo that the Wolf scenes should have provided, and takes the edge off the song "I Know Things Now". Daniel Huddlestone is an energetic Jack, and dependable Tracey Ullman plays his frustrated mom. MacKenzie Mauzy captures the awakening of Rapunzel, while Frances de la Tour frightens everyone involved as the agitated (for good reason) Lady Giant.

Unconventional is the best description of this production, and there is a group of viewers who will be totally captivated by it, while a much larger group will probably find it too dark and bleak, and lacking the easy charm we have come to expect from movie musicals. However, for those of us in the first group, we will be totally enchanted by the characters, story lines, wry humor, costumes, sets, and songs.

Horrible

[sanchezedp · 1/10 · 28 December 2014]

Left the theater I just could not take the pain. Many others left as well Reading the reviews I am stunned at the number of positive reviews. Perhaps one of the worst movies I have ever seen I want those two hours of my life back. What am I missing, wonderful cast but the movie just dragged on and on with most songs boring at best. I did enjoy two princes singing - that was funny, but otherwise terrible movie. Save your money!! Cast was great but unused talent. What were folks thinking. Tried to nap during the movie but woken up by the the notes off key. Movie was confusing and just wandered from song to song without an much of a connection to a story. Again, I cannot get over how many positive reviews are out there as so many left the theaters as did I after about two-thirds of the movie and with no end in sight.

Excellent Adaptation. All the Hate is Unjustified.

[enigma9119 · 10/10 · 24 January 2015]

I have seen both the original Broadway play and this film adaptation, and I can gladly say that this lives up to the original's reputation. The only major change is with one aspect of Rapunzel's storyline.

There are 3 types of people who hated the movie:

1. Parents who thought this isn't suitable for kids. Well, this doesn't say anything about how good the movie actually is. Yes, not all the content is for kids; heck the original isn't meant for kids at all. Even then, I don't think its that worrisome. If you think it is, just don't let your kids watch it; but you can enjoy the story.

2. Fans of the original who are complaining about every little change. People, its an adaptation; certain things need to be changed when transitioning to a different medium of storytelling. And some of the small changes are actual improvements to the original.

3. Those who weren't expecting a musical. I don't get this one. If you don't like musicals, fine! But you can't rate it 1 star just because its a musical!

If you are looking for a typical Disney movie, look away. But if you care about originality and want to witness familiar stories in a different light, this is it. It has Disney characters but uses them to deliver a more realistic and mature point of view about the world. The story as a whole has some really good messages, but people seem to be stuck up on the fact that it defied their expectations. As Into the Woods points out, your actions have real consequences and sometimes your wishes come true but not quite in the way you expected. Be ready for an unexpectedly twisted journey...

"Into the woods- Each time you go, There's more to learn Of what you know."

10 Stars!

Rob Marshall's highly energetic musical features top turns from Pine, Streep, Blunt, and Corden...

[ClaytonDavis · 6/10 · 18 December 2014]

Slick, lavish, and imaginatively vibrant, Rob Marshall's newest musical adaptation "Into the Woods" hits most of the notes as a thoroughly entertaining experience of the holiday season. Assembling one the year's finest casts, Marshall brings his ability to bring each actor to their utmost potential, while keeping composer Stephen Sondheim's brilliance intact. In the end however, the real problem with "Woods" is that its narrative structure is slashed like a hairstylist that took too much off the top, or in this case the second act. The first hour of James Lapine's adaptation is so wholesomely fulfilling. When the story takes a sudden, yet awkward shift into "serious" and more adult territory, this Disney produced spectacle struggles to find its footing. Perhaps, a director's cut, 30 minutes longer, and more clearly obvious themes would have felt more satisfying. This doesn't take away from the marvelous performances that are abound. Those will surely keep you engaged enough to make it through.

It's imperative to begin with Chris Pine. A movie star that hasn't been afforded the opportunity to stretch his acting legs beyond "Star Trek" and "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit." When you look at the definition of having fun in a role, Pine's face will be planted firmly next to the words. A career best performance with the show's best musical number, "Agony." Try to look at him the same way after this. A true standout, and scene stealer. Go figure by the way, the man has a very impressive set of pipes.

The Queen of the Academy, three-time Oscar-winner Meryl Streep is the best she's been since "The Devil Wears Prada." Seeing Streep operate in these later years, especially stage adaptations like "Doubt," "Mamma Mia!," and last year's "August: Osage County," have not brought out the greatness that Streep is capable of achieving. Granted, anything that is "lower-tier Meryl" is probably better than most, but I've ached to see her hit another home run. This is it. Streep's work as the Witch is profoundly moving and beautifully orchestrated. "Stay with Me" and especially "Last Midnight" will reaffirm her place in our cinematic lives. One of the best performances of the year.

The gorgeous and vivacious Emily Blunt is everything you've come to expect from her at this point in her career. She's an amazing performer, beautiful singer, and knows how to elevate material, even when it clearly begins to bog her down. There's nothing wrong with the way that Blunt interprets the Baker's Wife. She's desperate, eager, and extremely hyperactive to get what she wants. In the latter part of the script, a controversial choice could have ignited talk and tears however, because there's clearly chops throughout the narrative, the Baker's Wife's role ultimately feels non-fulfilling for the audience. That doesn't take away from Blunt's talents. She's simply terrific.

In what clearly is designed to be the heart and soul of "Into the Woods," James Corden's work as the Baker will propel him into a household name (especially with his upcoming takeover for Craig Ferguson). He's funny, tender, and just a joy to watch. He's a throwback to John C. Reilly's Oscar-nominated work in "Chicago." Affecting, expressive, and memorable. In a story full of characters you grew up loving, making terrible life choices, you find yourself rooting for someone to come on the other side alive, intact, and sustained. For many, Corden will be that character. He's the real deal. I can't wait to see him in more challenging and daring roles in the future.

"Up in the Air" gave us Anna Kendrick, well at least to the high- brow film community. One Academy Award nomination later, she has mostly succeeded in her own vehicles like "Pitch Perfect" and the upcoming "The Last 5 Years," at least based on early word. Playing Cinderella is a daunting task. Anyone who has it will have to compete with mental images from the animated classic, and any other live action interpretation you've seen throughout your life. Kendrick has the physical prowess and charisma to do all Cinderella's assets justice however, there's something that ultimately feels off. While her co- star Pine disappears into the role of the Prince with no semblance of his former character interpretations, Kendrick just doesn't disguise herself enough to warrant a 100% golden star, or in this case a shoe. For her number "On the Steps of the Palace," she nearly hits her stride. Just not exactly what we hoped for.

The rest of the cast has their individual moments. Johnny Depp's interpretation of the Wolf was fun, but anyone who had a problem with his vocal range in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," will have their lickings once again. I'm glad that I've learned who Billy Magnussen is now as a result of his work as Rapunzel's Prince. He's delightful. Mackenzie Mauzy's Rapunzel is an unrealized staple of the musical that could have been far more richer and satisfying than what was ultimately displayed. Mauzy's turn is essential.

Christine Baranski's work as the wicked Stepmother kicks off the film on the most enormous high. A delectable presence sprinkled throughout. Same for the brilliant Tracey Ullman who just needs to be in more movies these days. The young performers, Daniel Huttlestone as Jack and Lilla Crawford as Red Riding Hood are equal parts impressive and annoying. The step-sisters, Lucy Punch and Tammy Blanchard are finely tuned with their wicked counterpart throughout.

"Into the Woods" is an energetic, rapturous romp at the movies. Lovely displayed with stunning production work and costume design, which are both singular standouts of the film year. Managed, genuine, and appreciated, "Into the Woods" is a must-watch for the season. An alluring, though flawed work, that stands as an excuse and reason to keep the movie musical alive. If anything, above all else, you take that with you to the bank.

Read more @ (www.awardscircuit.com)

Awesome Cast

[bgch-32378 · 7/10 · 1 May 2022]

I wanted to see this movie because Johnny Depp is in it. Unfortunately he had a very small role. Though I can't stand most musicals, I enjoyed this movie. So the only two negative things, in my opinion, was not enough Johnny Depp and too long of a movie.

Wow....

[LastLunar · 1/10 · 30 December 2014]

If I could vote -10 out of 10.. That still wouldn't be a accurate rating for this Musical/Fantasy film. Honestly I'm not going to go into to much detail about why this movie is beyond awful, cause honestly I'm completely drained after seeing it and the movies soundtrack/music torture list is still corroding my mental state 50 minutes after I left the theater. Story, BAD..like really bad...It's almost like halfway through the film the Director and Writer got fired and they brought somebody else in that hadn't even seen the first half of the film. Soundtrack...dear lord... I had to come home and throw Sweeney Todd in to get the taste of Into the woods "Musical" out of my mouth and ear drums, honestly my entire body ached after the film from tensing up to every excruciating song in the film, which coincidentally all sound the same. Acting, Meryl Streep did a great job, but even she couldn't save the soundtrack or make sense of the jumbled story, Emily Blunt does a great job as the comedic relief, Johnny Depp, in his very short and minimal role on screen reminds me of a child rapist/predator who was just released from prison and spent what little money he had on candy. Miscast plagues the film. Special Effects.. None... Plays out like a play/opera..nothing, absolutely zero special effects worth mentioning which made it hard to get lost or enveloped in the world. Picture a forest....a very generic boring forest...you have just seen 90% of this films setting/locations.

Go support a local theatre, opera, anything..But do yourself a favor and avoid this movie.

Awesome Awesome

[vjn-60976 · 10/10 · 27 February 2022]

It's one of a kind musical movie and it just blows my mind on the creativity level. Its been a long time I've seen such a lovely movie with lots of meanings which is not understood when watching once. The movie makes us to think the meaning the director is intending to tell with the music and the story. Fantabulous and once again awesome.

A charismatic musical that's great for the family.

[rickyslittlehorror · 7/10 · 31 May 2015]

Into the Woods was one of the most anticipated released of 2014, with an all star cast including Meryl Streep, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine and Johnny Depp. Into the Woods has been nominated for three Oscars, another 52 awards and has also won 9.

The beloved Brother's Grimm fairy tales are renewed in this charismatic movie, wherein the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood are all combined with an original story. The songs are catchy, albeit, some seem to drag on, but it's a wonderful family movie, one that the kids will love and want to watch again and again.

Many people didn't like the movie, however, I did quite enjoy it, even finding time to learn the lyrics after watching my first time to sing along for the next time I do watch. I do wish actors such as Johnny Depp and Chris Pine were in it more than they were, being a fan of both actors, but they did their characters justice. With promising acting from child stars Daniel Huttlestone (Jack) and Lilla Crawford (Red Riding Hood), one can only hope to see more from them in the future.

Scoring a 7/10, I do recommend this movie, but only if you like original twists and musicals - otherwise it may be quite torturous.

Why musical? Why not just do this kinda movie like

[MovieIQTest · 7 January 2015]

the traditional Bollywood movies? i can't stand the American musical genre movies. i hate to see when dialog was replaced by singing, because every time when you sing, your acting is going to hell, you have to concentrate on singing and your acting would be totally gone in order to be compatible with the singing. i would rather watching the ridiculous bollywood movies, no matter what genre it is, a thriller, an action packed suspenseful movie, a gangster movie, a romance....whatever, suddenly all the participants of that movie will start singing and dancing, no matter just a moment ago, the bullets are flying, people chasing in the street, suddenly, everybody just starts dancing and singing clueless in uniformity. but American musical movies are just unbearable, when the characters start singing, they have to stand up or walk around, so unnaturally and so stupidly moronic.

this musical movie will drive you nuts, like watching a stupid Broadway musical, delivering every word, every sentence by singing. making the whole movie totally unwatchable. like that stupid musical movie, 'les miserable' that had made me become more miserable than those characters in that crazy movie, with so many weird ugly unbearable notes. i never thought and expected this 'into the woods' would be a musical, when those characters started singing, i just wish i have a machine gun, then i could stand up on my seat and shot the screen with hundreds of bullets before i was tortured into a zombie!!!! OMG!!!!!!

I thought the Musical aspect made it slow.

[imdb-29350 · 6/10 · 21 September 2019]

Some of the reviews have explained that this is the adaptation of a stage musical. I haven't seen that. I'm just reviewing it as a movie experience.

I thought the story idea was good. Just the songs made it really slow for me. Not because I don't like musicals, but because they hardly progress the story. It's like time stops, we sing a song, and then the action starts again. The songs which were set alongside some kind of action were pretty okay.

Wonderful Musical

[noahspurlock12 · 6/10 · 25 December 2014]

I was expecting this film to be mediocre, it was far from it and the experience was magically adventurously mesmerizing. Meryl Streep was fantastic as usual, but Emily Blunt was so good and how about James Corden. People in the audience were complaining about too much singing...how about you realize it's based off a "musical" and go watch Les Miserables, you'll get way more singing.The story telling was so amazing and I felt like a kid again watching all this fairy tales come to life all together.Ignore every person who complains about the morals or Meryl Streep's character or the singing. This was a great film to watch on Christmas and it made my holidays that much better along with gems like Unbroken,Big Eyes,American Sniper and yes The Interview. Into The Woods is definitely a film to remember and is memorable with every song.

The good times and the bad

[Prismark10 · 4/10 · 15 July 2016]

Stephen Sondheim's 1987 musical which intermingled various fairy tales of the Bothers Grimm seem rather common in a post Shrek world.

Although the Broadway musical has a first act with a traditional fairy tale conventions the second act is more subversive which is toned down in this movie.

The biggest problem of course are the musical numbers, Sondheim I am afraid to say in his later years has never been as catchy as Rodgers and Hammerstein, although the latter was his early mentor.

The film starts of brightly, director Rob Marshall has certainly Disney-fied the story. There is a satisfying happy ever after ending with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack, the wicked witch and the baker and his wife. Wait there is still an hour to go.

The second half looks at the characters in disillusionment of a world that is not all technicolour but dark as a studio set masquerading as the gloomy forest. Somewhere along the line the films gets lost a little as the second giant arrives, people die and the survivors grieve.

Johnny Depp has a sinister and mischievous cameo as the perverted wolf. Chris Pine is rather able as the good but dim Prince Charming, James Corden is whimsical and the heart of the film as the Baker and Meryl Streep dominates visually as the witch.

A good adaptation of a fantastic musical, the rating does not do it justice.

[Breitschleif · 8/10 · 3 October 2016]

I enjoyed the movie a lot, it has been many years since i saw "Into the Woods" as a live musical and the film was a nice reminder of why i loved the story so much back then and still do.

In short: It's DEFINITELY not for everyone and i think that is reflected in the very harsh, partially unjust ratings and comments. The adaptation is very close to the original and executed beautifully though and fans will have a good time watching it.

If you enjoyed the original musical or "dramatic comedy musicals" in general then i recommend watching it.

If you expect some Tim Burton-esque "Alice through the Looking Glass" film you will be disappointed because that is NOT what this is despite what the trailer might suggest.

8/10 but i understand that it is only enjoyable for a very specific audience (and definitely not for kids or most teens!).

Better On Stage

[BanditXander · 6/10 · 13 July 2018]

As a longtime fan of the original Broadway recording with Bernadette Peters, I was excited to see this as a large scale production. The sets are amazing and costuming is great and even the cast is well full of good talent. One of the things that makes a good musical great is all the work that goes into the harmonies and vocal work, especially in such a music heavy piece like this Sondheim creation. There is none of that here, voices are mostly electronically mixed and where there should be a swell of harmony, you find it seems 'lifeless' to put not to fine a point on it. The film is entertaining and fun even with the deviations to the original plot and themes, but lacks the emotional work and true emsemble work that really sets this particular musical experience apart from other stage and film pieces. See the original with Chip Zein, Bernadette, Joanna Gleeson etc. and then this version, and you may find yourself feeling the same way. Fun flick, better on stage with live talent.

Into The Woods - A journey through LIFE

[evans_p17 · 10/10 · 16 March 2015]

Firstly I am very surprised Disney did this, as it is NOT for kids. Sondheim is my favourite composer and I think the film did justice to his lyrics and music. Those of you who could not understand it or follow it, cannot be a big lover on psychology and human behaviour. Sondheim is a psychologist! The woods represent the paths we choose in life, and how wishes cannot always lead to wonderful happy endings (true to life!) You go on your journey, and experience joys and pain and heartache, which you learn from. You finally discover yourself and your true purpose in life. Those of you who said their are no memorable songs in it are not listening to the deeper meaning of those lyrics. No One Is Alone. - You've lost your guide (mother) who meant everything in your world, but there are others out there in that World who are also guides. You just need to open your heart to them, and they will show you the way - put you on the right path.

Worse than Butterfly Morning and Toke

[andewright · 1/10 · 28 December 2014]

This is the worst movie I have ever seen and I can't believe I sat through the whole thing. I knew that "Into the Woods" was a musical, but I never dreamed the singing would continue, almost nonstop, throughout the movie; singing the same tune on and on, but with different words. Anna Kendrick's screeching voice is understood by crows. Two princes rolled around on rocks singing "Agony," and I thought, "This movie is agony and painful." Some other character later sang about a nightmare, and I couldn't have said it any better.

Before seeing the movie, I read reviews that this was a movie for children and adults of all ages. I have to disagree. What was inappropriate were the sexual connotations, violence (e.g. cutting off toes and a heel of two girls, then blinding the two characters), and the death of some beloved characters. (If the cow could be resurrected, why not the decent dead characters?)

Rapunzel and her prince could have been cut out of the movie. They were of no importance to the story. Johnny Depp played the same creepy role like he did in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and Anna Kendrick as Cinderella was confusing.

And now for the length of the movie: "Into the Woods" goes on and on and on . . . Right when you think it is over and everyone lives happily ever after - WAIT! you're only half way through; there is still another hour of agony to go.

I don't want to give away any of the "good" parts, so I will leave it at this suggestion: Don't waste your money or two hours of your life seeing this, and please don't take your children!

Overall it disappoints due to its poor pacing and gappy plot

[r96sk · 6/10 · 14 November 2020]

Too drawn out, 90 minutes might've been perfect.

I like the idea of 'Into the Woods', with its mash-up of numerous fairy tales from 'Cinderella' to 'Little Red Riding Hood' to 'Jack and the Beanstalk' to 'Rapunzel'. I'd also say the musical pieces are enjoyable across the opening 20-30 minutes, which are nice and energetic.

However, from the midway point things start chugging down to a snail's pace. The novelty of the premise begins to wear thin, as it becomes clear that there isn't much more to tell - despite a load of the 125 minute run time still remaining. I will say, though, the look of the film is pleasant.

I do also rate the casting. James Corden seems to split opinion online, but I've always liked him; having watched and enjoyed him since his career took off with UK TV's 'Gavin & Stacey'. Emily Blunt and Johnny Depp are two of my favourite actors, while Meryl Streep and Anna Kendrick are strong casts. I like Chris Pine too, but he's iffy in this.

In conclusion, I almost found entertainment with this but overall it disappoints due to its poor pacing and gappy plot.

A waste of talent

[skhvball · 1/10 · 27 December 2014]

OMG - this was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. First, despite an excellent cast including the amazing Meryl Streep, the characters were wholly unlikable. Even in movies with despicable characters, someone is likable. Hannibal Lector is more endearing than the characters in this offering. Secondly, you may be surprised to learn that this was a musical; a fact mysteriously missing from the array of TV promos for the film. That said, I do enjoy some musicals and own DVD's of West Side Story and Les Mis. The music in this film was neither inspirational nor emotionally moving despite the talented performers. Lastly, the plot meandered aimlessly to the point where a swift demise of the entire cast would have been preferable to the the protracted ending. Buyer beware - do not see this movie.

Should Have Ended at Happily Ever After!

[BabelAlexandria · 7/10 · 31 March 2021]

This movie is something of an enigma, but not intentionally so, I think. Its greatest merit is the sense of foreboding from the dark woods; the songs are not particularly good, as my children both commented. The weaving together of Grimm tales is also interesting, but not so clever as to form the basis of a movie. Well, they went with it anyway, and if they tied together fairy-tale favorites in the first part, in the second they unravel them, or at least the premise of a happy ending, when the dead giant's wife attacks in the midst of Cinderella and the Prince's wedding ceremony. Everything from here on out is uneven, sometimes downright bizarre, and sends questionable messages to children (was that really the point?). I'll point to just one: the baker's wife commits adultery (well, a kiss and a fantasy) with Cinderella's prince while they are alone in the woods, and dies soon thereafter. Huh? At least the widowed husband invites the infant child and the rest of the broken fair tale characters, including a motherless Jack and an estranged Cinderella, to live with him in his house. But that's not exactly a happy ending.

On a personal note, this was the first movie my daughter saw in the theaters, at about two and a half-years (I know - I think she just thought it was scary). She was sick around Christmas time (2014) and we were staying at a hotel near the mall so that her newborn brother wouldn't get sick as well. She went to sleep about half-way through. Thankfully!