Into The Woods is a live action adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's original work and delivers a magical, mystical and whimsical take on fairy tales and feature film musicals.
Into The Woods takes very famous fairy tale stories and adds new layers of intrigue and complexity through the overarching storyline of Corden and Blunt. Even though the main focus is on the baker and his wife, Cinderella, Prince Charming and Rapunzel, all have important parts to play. That is the fun of this movie is seeing these characters from different storybooks interact and come together in unique and often comical ways.
The film focuses on Emily Blunt and James Corden, the baker and his wife, as the couple tries to reverse a curse that was placed upon their house many years ago by The Witch, played by Meryl Streep. The movie also features a wide range of famous stars including, Anna Kendrick, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Johnny Depp and Chris Pine.
Blunt is a standout in Woods, she combines comedy, sincerity and charm into her performance and proves that in any role, she can be a strong female character and bring out her likable personality and wit.
Streep as always is an acting tour de force. It’s no surprise that she has already been nominated for a Golden Globe. Streep becomes The Witch through looks, movements and song. Streep shows the range within her character while performing “Stay With Me” and delivers a showstopper with “The Last Midnight.”
Image courtesy of Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com
For those hoping to see what Depp does in yet another heavy costume supported role, he is only seen on screen for a few minutes and doesn't bring any new or exciting energy to this character. It feels like Depp toned down his performance from Alice in Wonderland and put that into this character as The Wolf.
The performances and songs move the story along and engage from the opening number to about an hour into the film. The first hour of this film feels like a perfect translation from stage to screen but after that the film loses it magical and whimsical feel. It is clear that on the stage, this would take place in two parts but for the screen it should feel like a seamless transition. Instead it hurts the movie because it feels disjointed and confusing. The longer run time takes away from the heart and spirit of the film because it thrives the pacing is fast moving and cuts between the interlocking stories taking place in the woods.
In the end, it will not be necessary for movie audiences to have seen the stage show to follow along with Into The Woods but for those who have will pick up the smaller details and subtle changes that have been made in order to place the show on film.
Despite a long “second act” Into The Woods had moments of success, fun and the songs are memorable.
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