Review of Into the Woods (2014) by Foxgrove — 19 Jan 2015

Being extensively marketed for kids, it is good to find that Sondheim’s musical has been neither dumbed down nor Disneyfied. Taking four well-loved fairy tales complete with linking device and setting them to music is actually quite a bold concept which, for the first ninety minutes at least, works very nicely. In fact, the visuals compliment the score no end which, if listened to cold, is actually fairly resistible without its context. Only one song can truly be considered a hit outside of its theatrical origins and that is ‘Children Will Listen’, but other songs are still impressive. It helps that most of the cast make a good stab at singing even if one recognises their limitations. Meryl Streep, however, is in a class of her own both musically and dramatically. Notching up her 19th Oscar nomination for her ‘witch’ she eclipses everyone with impressive ease. Chris Pine surprises as Prince Charming and he belts out one of the best staged songs, ‘Agony’. Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Emily Blunt as The Baker’s wife and James Corden as the Baker all have their moments to shine as does Johnny Depp as the Wolf. His rendition of ‘Hello Little Girl’ (which shows that Disney have certainly moved with the times, since Snow White sang ‘Someday my Prince will come’) is certainly open to suspect interpretation!

The film looks good in production and costume design and is photographed in a convincingly cold light as befits its dark tone.

The film begins to fall apart, however, after its perceived happy ending is suddenly tossed aside with the introduction of a female giant. This is not only dramatically misguided, but also throws the spotlight onto some appalling special effects work. Hitherto the visual effects have been impressive, but the giant played by Frances De LaTour looks cheaply conceived and unconvincing. It is a shame really that what could have been a consistent of a piece musical is undermined by a final act that should have been thrown out along with Jack’s beans.