Into the Woods (2014) User Reviews (985)

They totally missed the moral of the story

[koralrosecancion · 6/10 · 8 January 2020]

I remember waiting for this movie to come out. I'd grown up listening to Bernadette Peters. Performed lesser characters myself until I finally got to be the Witch. This movie had an all star cast and I was so excited.

End credits roll, and I sat there more angry than sad. A musical with so many moral lessons and all the movie can focus on is KILLING the Giant as the big finale. The whole movie ends with Children Will Listen and all I can think of is the kids who just learned that it is ok to kill to get what you want.

Yes the Giant dies in the musical but because of the limitations of stage the scene is less about getting that giant but focuses on the people struggling to survive against giant odds. Also, the true finale of the musical has a wonderful lesson that is completely cut out the movie. ...

There is one last reprise of the theme "Into the woods" One verse says, "... Into the woods but not to stray or tempt the wolf or steal from the giant." Because, let's face it, the giant is the most innocent party in the whole play. She was kind to the thieving, murderous boy, Jack.

"Into the woods, each time you go There's more to learn of what you know. ..Into the woods to mind the wolf, to Heed the witch, to Honor the giant. .... into the woods. Then out of the woods -- and happily ever after!" Then Cinderella says, "I wish..." and everyone looks at her in horror .... because, let's face it, the one thing humans are good at is forgetting life lessons.

None of this is in the movie ...

Not to mention the missing characters such as the narrator/father (well, the many funny theater scenes) ... and all the much needed comic relief crafted into the second half of the musical. (Because the body count is no laughing matter. :)

The musical has an intermission after they all get their happy ever after ... so when you see them again time has passed & they are all back to wanting more. Then the giantess starts destroying things as she looks for Jack (because he murdered her Husband ... can't stress that jolly tidbit enough) and their petty wants get pushed aside as life completely is changed for everyone.

I would like to say that my disappointment is like that of one whose favorite book is made into a movie ... not everything can fit into those 2 hours. However, this movie did a disservice to those who have never seen the real deal. I have see it/been in it. Can spout almost every line ad nauseam and yet I still cry at the end of even High school Productions. This movie left me cold. I still cry at the "eyes of an angel..." animal commercials, but the movie just didn't provide me with an emotional connection.

Then there is the scene where the baker runs off after finding out his wife has died. In the play the mysterious man (aka his father) says, "We disappoint, we disappear, we die but we don't. . . " and the baker sing a short heartbreaking song that ends, "...No more giants waging! Can't we just pursue our lives w/our children & our wives 'til that happy day arrives, how do you ignore All the witches, all the curses, the false hopes, the good-byes, the reverses All the wondering what even worse is still in store All the children All the giants .... just, no more "

In theater we are taught that the actor NOT crying is powerful. You sob because his words resignate, not because he is showing us how sad he is. It's the writer's version of show don't tell.

Then there are the children. According to the bonus features, the director feels its supposed to be children and not teenagers. I very very much beg to differ. Hello little girl is a seduction song and has many innuendos that worked sort of ok as Lilla looks 13 -14. Jack is a simpleton but not a child. With them as teenagers, there is a growing up they are suddenly forced to do. They truly have no one. The song, No one is alone didn't seem as powerful because these kids are so young that obviously someone will take care of them. And it seems odd that the baker is willing to say no to letting them stay with him when Jack can't be over 10. Now, if they were teens, then his reluctance is more understandable. Red is a bit scarier in the musical, pulling out her knife ... a fact which makes it funnier when the baker is horrified his wife would leave the baby with Red.

The baker and his wife do not argue as much as they do in the play. Theirs is NOT a perfect marriage. No marriage is, but the reality in their relationship are what allow her to be seduced by the prince and let us accept it as paet of her character flaw.

In the play, Rapunzel blames the witch for her unhappiness and says, "because of you, I will never be happy again." The Witch, whose own mother was NOT great example of motherhood (I mean seriously, who puts a curse on their own child?) Truly tries to protect her child by going to the way opposite extreme (there are parents out there like that). Yes, she does some horrible things in the name of love and she is definitely not a nice person. Her mistakes and how they affected her child go with the theme of the play. Later, Rapunzel is stepped on by the giant as she runs away from the Witch who is trying to save her which changes the whole tone of the Stay with me reprise ... they should've just got rid of that reprise if they were going to change that storyline.

I rewatched the movie recently thinking maybe I was so disappointed in 2014 because I had too high of expectations. But no, it is because they took a deep, well-crafted musical and morphed it into an odd sort of movie. They should have just done act 1 and ended it there. Oh, wait, that's basically what they did.

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.

So close to greatness, yet so maddening. (spoilers)

[DarthPaul85 · 7/10 · 27 December 2014]

I saw this movie, and everything was *awesome!*...

...until Act I ends.

Before I get to negatives, let me say the music is very faithfully reproduced here. The singing is good (in some cases great), the acting is good, the costumes and "sets" are also often good. Everything was in place to make this the definitive version of Into The Woods...

...and then they threw Act II out the window.

People unfamiliar with the musical might not notice or care about the changes to Act II (or technically Act III), but fans of the musical should be warned that this show is completely drained of all gravitas and pathos. Also, several wonderful songs have been cut- it will tick you off.

SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!

So if you've seen the musical, you know how Act II goes. More importantly, you know the great songs there. Well for some reason (PG rating, perhaps), Disney has cut everything about Act II that gives the entire show meaning.

#1- Rapunzel does not die. This ruins the Witch's arc in Act II. No reprise of Children Don't Listen, and the witch leaves the movie rather abruptly in Last Midnight. And of course, Rapunzel is almost completely pointless to the story now, since nothing bad ever happens to her and her prince stays happily married to her, which brings me to...

#2- No second "Agony." This was my favorite song in the damn show, and they cut it. Of course, the cut everything building up to this too- We don't get to see the princes and their wives tire of married life, nor do the baker and his wife, which comes to...

#3- The Baker and his wife have no troubles in Act II. There's no fall from grace for these two- they never have to deal with a stressful marriage. The wife only kisses the prince (no sex), and the action leading up to that point is far from justified. Her lyrics about "And/Or/Both" are groundless here- it's still a fun song, but there's no reason for her to be singing it.

#4- No Narrator. He shows up as an apparition, but does not get to sing "no more," which is the other best song in the musical. This also hastens the Baker's journey- while he still hits the main points of his arc, we're denied any real struggle here.

#5- Arguably, the entire point of the musical is missing. The stage version breaks down "happily ever after" and teaches a real lesson about loss and how gray the world really is. The movie...does not.

So I can't really recommend this to fans of the musical, unless you can accept the loss of Act II. People unfamiliar with the musical might still enjoy it.

"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)

Very disappointed. Begins good but then downhill and keeps getting worst.

[louis-199-700563 · 1/10 · 29 December 2014]

Very disappointed. Begins good but then downhill and keeps getting worst. At one point you may find yourself wondering if some of the long musicals are just to fill up time. Nobody can spoil this movie since the ending makes no sense. Seems like the ending was more about indoctrinating kids that wrong and right don't exist. I enjoyed the beginning and how multiple stories are integrated logically. But, around the middle it seems like all the steam is lost and as if they just did whatever to finish it by ming the songs longer and they just loosing all creativity. Seriously, while the beginning had creativity the end did not. It was as if they lost the script and began ad-libbing everything. Not only did I not like it but my kids hatted it also. My wife did not like it and my mother fell asleep.

Get the facts first

[romtang-2 · 6/10 · 7 June 2015]

First of all this is a motion picture remake of a musical. For some reason it seems most people are completely unaware of that and have never even heard of musical. . Second, the music is by Stephen Sondheim. If you don't know who he is you must live under a rock. He is a composer and lyricist known for things like Sweeny Todd and West Side Story. It seems like most people think Disney came up with the music for this. Third, these are the original Grimm Brothers versions of the tales, not the edited for children Disney versions. It also seems that a lot of people only know the "kid" versions and were appalled that the step sisters get their feet cut and eyes poked out. Read the original stories, that's how they go. The good: I thought it was very well cast. If you've seen the play I think you'd agree. (except Bernadette Peters made a much better witch on Broadway) The vocals were moderately good to great. I really don't understand why people are complaining about the vocals. The scenery and costumes were good. As for turning this into a movie, well... they tried. A for Effort. The bad: This is supposed to be funny!! There is a ton of humor in it which is completely lost in the movie. All the funny lines were delivered seriously which made most of it creepy and weird and most of the movie, boring. Also, they cut out the whole middle of the play! Including some of the best songs. What were they thinking? One major role was completely missing. The ending was changed in several places. Also, if Broadway musicals were rated it would be PG 13. So why in the world did they try to make this look like something for children? Although they toned down a few things to make it more child friendly but it is still not a story for young kids. Overall I didn't think it was as horrible as most reviewers did but I still like the 1988 Original Broadway Cast version (which you can get on DVD) much better.

Confusing AND Disturbing

[patricklh2014 · 1/10 · 5 January 2015]

Spoilers, you've been warned.

OK, so I've never been a Broadway/musical fan BUT, I do appreciate a good story when I see one. Into The Woods was not one of those good stories. First off, the story starts off with an incredibly repetitive and rather annoying song which is supposed to introduce the major characters but instead turns into a montage of all the major characters spouting the same lines with slight variations over and over again for 15 minutes too long. In reality, pretty much every song is the same repetitive nonsense with the exception of one song sung by the two princes which is refreshing in it provides just a little bit of humor which is utterly lacking throughout the rest of the film. Next problem is the lack of character development. All the characters feel shallow and you have a hard time finding a character to be interested in and honestly I was more interested in the damn cow for the majority of the movie than any of the main characters. Third problem I had was pacing, things go from 0 to 100 real fast and then it likes to hit a wall in the form of another repetitive 15 minute song in order to completely throw you off. Fourth problem is the really disturbing and graphic material that somehow slipped into a PG rated film i.e., Johnny Depp's character and the rather obvious allusion to pedophiles using candy to lure unsuspecting children or Cinderella carelessly sicking her bird friends on her step sisters to peck their eyes blind in some twisted sense of revenge, the list goes on and on. And last and probably the biggest problem I had with this film was the overall confusing plot. My girlfriend and I spent the majority of the movie trying to figure out exactly what was happening and just when we thought we were getting a grip on the plot the whole movie would make a U turn and head in a totally different direction. Characters' thoughts and actions are void of all logic. I may just be ignorant for never having read the play but I was utterly confused when the witch just decided she had enough of everyone and TURNED HERSELF INTO MUD. In addition, the story makes many really interesting connections between the characters but then simply fails to explore those connections, the biggest for me being that Rapunzel and the Baker are actually brother and sister. Instead of exploring this connection the two never even come into contact with one other nor do they actively pursue one another. What's worse is that Rapunzel seems to play no significant role in the movie whatsoever which is apparent when she just disappears part way through the movie with her prince never to be seen or heard from again.

Overall, the film is incredibly boring, confusing, and at times, disturbing, and will leave you looking for any excuse you can think of to shuffle out of the theater in search of a movie actually worth watching.

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.

LEAVE the Woods

[yetemlion · 1/10 · 27 December 2014]

This movie was absolutely, positively HORRIBLE in every sense of the word. I generally don't write reviews but I was so incensed by the stupidity of this absolutely ridiculous crock o' s*** that I had to spread the word. I don't see how this movie got any positive reviews at all. I had high hopes because of the cast and I generally like what Disney makes, but this was horrendous. From the first song on, it was a disaster filled with repetitive, pointless songs that attempt to provide moral guidance but definitely DOES NOT. This movie instead has hints of rape, pedophilia, adultery, shitty parenting and basically half the cast is killed off with the remaining cast not seeming to really give a damn as it ends with the Baker starting to re- tell the same shitty story that just happened to all of them (in which his wife died, little red riding hood's grandma and mother died, and Jack's mother died)...

This movie actually got me to dislike Meryl Streep a bit, which I thought was almost impossible. Johnny Depp was really not in it, he was in it for maybe 5 minutes top. Chris Pines was the ONLY good thing about this movie, and that was basically just for one of his songs which was amusing. The actress who played the little red riding hood was incredibly annoying and emotionless - if she had been killed off the movie might have been decent.

I almost walked out of this movie but stayed hoping for some kind of salvation of the film towards the end -but NOPE! All in all, this was ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES I'VE EVER SEEN, and I don't say that lightly. Please don't waste your time and money, or at least consider yourself warned.

Love!

[amyrperrine-67240 · 9/10 · 27 March 2015]

I loved this film. I've seen the film version of the play starring Bernadette Perers and loved it as well. I think many watched it thinking it would be a happily ever after story but it's not and that's the point. I first heard about/watched the play version in a college drama class. The characters start out struggling but still idealistic. They believe they can achieve their wishes and set out to do that. Then, after they've each gotten what they thought they wanted they realized they didn't want it or in some cases they didn't want it yet. And while they're struggling to come to grips with the idea that maybe they didn't want their wishes granted after all, the giant attacks and knocks them for a loop. Characters die, marriages fail and they see that maybe happily ever after isn't an idealistic fairy tale dream but instead it's the reality of their acceptance of and for themselves as they are. I gave it a nine because I loved the narrator and missed him in this version and as well as a few other changes. Overall it was wonderful and I can't wait until my children are old enough to enjoy it with me.

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!!!!!!

An entertaining musical that isn't for everyone, but is fun nonetheless

[Morphumax27 · 7/10 · 20 September 2015]

++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.

Horrible Mess!

[tiktokofoz · 1/10 · 28 December 2014]

It's a musical, based on a Broadway play (no really, it's a musical). A misrepresented boring film, how the movie could have received a green light, just shows how little fresh ideas Hollywood has. Okay, am I being too harsh, I'm sure there will be some enjoyable tunes, interesting sets, adorable characters or some interesting twists on stories that really is en vogue at this time. No, No, No, and No!

Not one memorable song, how is that possible Stephen Sondheim! Okay maybe it's not his fault, apparently Disney took a PG-13 to R rated play and tried to recreate the movie as a family picture.

Where is the millions of dollars in production values? drab, dark sets with deficiency of most color. I wouldn't want to say that the movie has horrible special effects, more an absence of them.

A majority of the actors are miscast, it is literally impossible to care about any character. The philandering prince and baker's wife are certainly people, I would want my kids too aspire to be. By the end of the movie, where you have dedicated over two hours of your time, you start imagining how, if all of the characters die, maybe the movie would make sense.

Just stick with televisions, "Once Upon a Time", for interesting twists on your favorite fairy tales.

I Know Things Now (That This Movie is Pretty Good)

[lorenzogary · 30 December 2014]

When I first heard that there was going to be a musical that intertwines the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and follows into the consequences of their wishes, I was intrigued. Coming out of the theater after the credits rolled, I have to admit that I wish, more than ever, that I didn't leave the woods...

The one thing that stands out to me the most was the casting; Emily Blunt did a phenomenal job as the Baker's Wife (who knew she could have such a voice!), Meryl Streep never fails in her acting and singing, and Chris Pine did a so-bad-it's-good performance of Prince Charming (he was a jerk in moments, but that was all in good play as I felt that it was a tip of the hat to all princes in fairy tales).

Now, I didn't expect this movie to have so much music; the movie begins with a fourteen minute song of a prologue. There was about 65% singing and 35% talking lines, but the songs were somewhat catchy. Songs that stuck to me were "No One is Alone" (as the remaining characters sing in grief of those they have lost) and just about anything Meryl Streep sang ("Last Midnight" was honestly my favorite tune from her!).

From a subtle Act I to the tremendously tragic Act II, 'Into the Woods' was an enjoyable movie. There are moments in the dialogue that give nods to fairy tale clichés, songs that remain catchy, and performances that deserve recognition.