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BanditXander
Reviews
Into the Woods (2014)
Better On Stage
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.