Review of Into the Woods (2014) by Cecilbca — 27 Dec 2014

INTO THE WOODS - the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway show...

It was interesting because there was me, who knows the show very very well (own the DVD with the Broadway cast and have viewed it innumerable times) and my husband who knew nothing about it - not even that it was a musical! He loved it. I loved it too, BUT there were a few minor (and I do mean minor) quibbles: if you're very familiar with the play, you will miss a number of one liners. I missed "Maybe They're Magic" which finished with one of my favorite laugh lines: "if the end is right, it justifies the beans!".

Being a different medium, one realizes what works on stage wouldn't work on film. Unfortunately, there are too many movie musicals to prove that point. But what a film it is!!! The production design, costume design and sound were awesome. It's one of those musicals where you understood every syllable of Stephen Sondheim's tongue twisting, internal rhyming lyrics. All the cast could sing - and sing well.

I've read almost every review going and there's been much made of Johnny Depp's character being on screen for such a short time - and that he couldn't sing. I thought he did very well. As for the screen time, it's the same amount as there is stage time. James Lapine, adapting his play, kept true to the original. The biggest change was the shortening of Act Two - and he's done it such a way that it doesn't hinder the movie at all. Also, much has been made of the casting of young people as Red Riding Hood and Jack - both deliver amazing performances and again, I don't think casting older would have worked on film.

Meryl Streep is incredible as the Witch. (as if she wouldn't be) She totally nails "The Last Midnight" and "Stay With Me". I really liked Emily Blunt as the Baker's Wife (true she isn't Joanna Gleason - but then I'm thinking that is the result of the medium and script changes) and she has a wonderful singing voice - as does Anna Kendrick as Cinderella. Chris Pine and Billy Magnusson were perfect in their roles as the two Princes and their "Agony" was a highlight of the movie.

Bottom line: it's worth the trip Into The(se) Woods. I may go back again...