Into the Woods (2014)
Cast includes: Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), Daniel Huttlestone (Les Misérables), James Corden (The History Boys), Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), Tracey Ullman (Corpse Bride), Lilla Crawford (The 66th and 67th Annual Tony Awards), Meryl Streep (Doubt), Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd), Makenzie Mauzy (Brother’s Keeper), Billy Magnussen (The East), Chris Pine (Star Trek)
Writers: Stephen Sondheim (Sweeney Todd), James Lapine (Passion)
Director: Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha)
Genre: Musical | Fantasy (125 minutes)
“Once upon a time… in a small village at the edge of the woods…” says the mystery narrator. Right away, the characters break into song… “I wish… I wish… I wish… more than anything…” The baker and his wife wish for a child. Cinderella wishes to be able to go to the festival. A young lad, Jack, wishes his cow would give milk. A young girl with a bright red cape comes into the bakery for bread to take to “granny, who’s sick in bed… for all I know, she’s already dead.” Jack’s mother sends him into town to sell the cow. “No one keeps a cow for a friend.” Little Red Riding Hood pilfers some extra pastries… the baker’s wife won’t stop her… she has a soft spot for children.
In dramatic form, the witch from next door appears. The baker and his wife ask what she wishes. “It’s not what I wish. It’s what you wish.” Actually, the witch knows they wish for a child, and she knows they can’t have one. It’s because of the curse she put on the house years ago in retaliation for the baker’s father’s taking vegetables from the her garden. It’s bad enough that he took regular vegetables, but when he took the beans… that was just wasn’t right. That was when the witch took their female child and put a curse on the house. Yup… the baker has a long-lost sister (Rapunzel) living in the woods somewhere. “She’s mine now,” says the witch. “But I have the curse of ugliness…” unless… It turns out that there’s a way to reverse the curses. In three days, there’s a blue moon, and the baker and his wife have to bring the witch… 1. A cow as white as milk, 2. A cape as red as blood, 3. A slipper as pure as gold, and 4. Hair as yellow as corn. To find these four precious items, the baker heads into the woods… as do all the other characters, each in search of fulfilling his/her own wish.
The story is obviously a mix of four popular fairytales. The stories converge and shape shift throughout much of the film. We see familiar plotlines, but every plot element quickly morphs into a different story. Based on the famous musical play by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, the screenplay was adapted for the screen by Lapine. Director Rob Marshall is known for large, beautifully rendered musical movies, and this one lives up to expectations. It’s beautiful to look at and has an excellent cast. In case you’re wondering, all actors do their own singing… even those who aren’t known for singing. Yet singing Sondheim presents a unique challenge. The melodies aren’t easy and the wonderfully creative lyrics require exceptionally focused verbal acrobatics.
As enjoyable as any single part of the film is, some moviegoers may find that it goes on a bit long. While the fairytale elements will no doubt appeal to youngsters, some of the lyrics and added plot elements, such as infidelity, parenthood and death, are not typical children’s themes. After most of the fairytale story elements conclude, the narrative takes a less fanciful and slightly tedious turn. But moviegoers who enjoy musicals will find much to enjoy in Into the Woods.
3 popped kernels
Stephen Sondheim musical mix of four famous fairytales
Popcorn Profile
Rated: PG
Audience: Kids & Grown-ups
Gender Style: Neutral
Distribution: Mainstream Wide Release
Mood: Upbeat
Tempo: Zips Right Along
Visual Style: Computer Effects
Nutshell: Musical fairytale
Language: Artful
Social Significance: Pure Entertainment
