Tags
2010's, Anna Kendrick, Billy Magnussen, Chris Pine, Daniel Huttlestone, Disney, Emily Blunt, Fantasy, Into the Woods, James Corden, Johnny Depp, Lilla Crawford, MacKenzie Mauzy, Meryl Streep, Musical, Rob Marshall
Film Title
Into the Woods
Director
Rob Marshall
Starring
- James Corden as The Baker
- Emily Blunt as The Baker’s Wife
- Meryl Streep as The Witch
- Anna Kendrick as Cinderella
- Daniel Huttlestone as Jack
- Chris Pine as Cinderella’s Prince
- Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood
- Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel’s Prince
- MacKenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel
- Johnny Depp as The Big Bad Wolf
Something of a re imagining of classic fairy tales bound together with a newer story and put into a musical/fantasy hybrid from Disney, Into the Woods is also a mixed bag of sorts.
In classic fairy tale fashion, the movie opens with the words ‘Once Upon a Time’. The main story is of a Baker and his Wife who more than anything in the world want a child, yet somehow for them it has proved impossible. The source of this comes literally spinning into their home like a whirlwind in the form of an evil and very powerful Witch. The evil being explains that due to the Baker’s father stealing beans of magical properties from her precious garden, she placed a curse upon his family so that future generations would be unable to have children. The devious hag also took the Baker’s baby daughter and raised her as her own. The girl eventually became the long-haired Rapunzel, imprisoned in a tower from the outside world, singing lilting lullabies to pass the time. She is later discovered thanks to her lovely voice by a handsome prince, who falls deeply in love with her. Meanwhile, desperate to break the curse upon their family, the Baker and his Wife accept the terms of the Witch’s hard bargain. If they can procure four specific items from classic fantasy stories within the days before the third full moon, the curse will be forever lifted. This in turns means they must both journey deep into the mist enshrouded woods where magical mayhem and mystical mischief awaits them. We also have the stories running alongside this one, that include the items needed to break the curse. These consist of a young boy named Jack selling his beloved cow for magical beans that grow the famous beanstalk, a greedy girl in a red cape visiting her Grandmother as well as being stalked by a hungry wolf and a downtrodden Cinderella transformed from rags to riches so she can attend the nearby ball held by another dashing royal prince.
As aforementioned, Into the Woods is something of a mixed film of both excellence and parts that could have been improved upon. Rob Marshall does infuse the piece with visual style and theatricality, which is very befitting of the musical genre. And boy does the visual style deliver with the Gothic woods being a particular highlight of production design. The costumes are also very well crafted with technique and effortless skill. I must say I enjoyed Corden’s narration, he brought a wry delivery to it as magical events continued to mount. Where Into the Woods falters is in its length and lack of memorable musical numbers. Although the pacing in the beginning of the movie, in the second half it tends to drag and become a little boring. As for the musical numbers, the stream of consciousness approach is actually rather good for a while. Yet it can become very monotonous and though some numbers bristle with energy, there isn’t really a killer song to be remembered once the movie ends. The same can be said about the altering of classic fairy tales. In some cases it provides interesting and often dark viewing, but in others it should really have been left to the classic version. Saying all this, Into the Woods is definitely a more enjoyable movie that Marshall’s last musical Nine, but it still has many flaws.
James Corden and Emily Blunt are really good in the central roles and have humorous yet loving chemistry with one another. Blunt is especially excellent at portraying the good-hearted Wife with warmth and shows off considerable skills in the vocal department. Meryl Streep takes what is essentially a pantomime villain role as the crone and breathes life into it. You can really see that Streep is having a ball here portraying the evil and cunning Witch and she plays it with such delicious glee. As always when Streep is in a movie, she gives it calibre with her engaging and highly talented presence. Anna Kendrick combines a beautiful voice and sympathetic delivery to give a modern interpretation of Cinderella; as we watch her wrestle with indecision over a union with her Prince. Daniel Huttlestone plays Jack with wide-eyed charm and youthful energy as he inadvertently gets himself tangled up in this magical quest. Chris Pine is used too little to be really memorable. Though it must be said that his musical number where he argues that the pain caused by love is greatest of all is particularly funny. Lilla Crawford brings a bratty and not so sweet disposition to a successful revamp of Little Red Riding Hood. And it’s quite good to see another take on a character that is so often portrayed as winsome and lamb like. Billy Magnussen doesn’t have much to work with as Rapunzel’s Prince, just like MacKenzie Mauzy as the imprisoned maiden. Johnny Depp contributes a creepy cameo as the predatory Wolf looking to make Red Riding Hood his next meal.
So all in all, Into the Woods has its share of excellent moments partly because of some stylish direction and fine performances. It’s a shame that it couldn’t be more memorable considering all the attributes it had.
beetleypete said:
Hmm. Wrapping up all those familiar fairy tales into one film, and intertwining the stories. I think I’ve got that right. I can’t imagine why they would do that, or why I would want to watch the result. Thanks for steering me away from this one V.
Cheers mate, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I don’t think it would be your kind of movie.
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Laura said:
Great review. I’m still not sure how I feel about this film. There were some elements I really liked – the styling, the subversion of some of the classic fairytale tropes and Meryl Streep generally – it as somehow not quite right for me.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Laura, it is one of those films that really is one mixed offering.
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That Other Critic said:
I haven’t seen this film, but I enjoy the play it’s based on…hmm…maybe I’ll watch it.
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vinnieh said:
I didn’t know it was based on a play, thanks for the info.
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That Other Critic said:
You’re welcome! I wasn’t sure if I was going to see the movie, but I think I will now. 😀
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for commenting, would love to know what you thought of this flick.
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MRS N, the Author said:
Oooh sounds really intriguing! Will have to check it out for sure! 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Would be interested in hearing what you thought of it. It does have some great bits, just the overall film isn’t that great.
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Peter B said:
I thought the pacing of the first half could have been more energetic. I thought the second half, where we learn what happened after the fairy tales ended, was perfection. I love that the movie was not afraid to end on a somber note. It’s hopeful, but it is not a traditional happy ending.
During the first half of the film, the fairy tales are pretty faithful to the brothers Grimm, whose tellings could get pretty dark. All the stuff about the stepsisters mutilating their feet, for example, is right out of the original versions of the tales. Also, as someone here mentioned, this is based on a stage show, and I recommend going to see a production if you ever get a chance. I am a huge fan of this songwriter, but some people cannot stand him. Sounds like you are on the fence. I liked this movie but the show is better, it gives you more time to breathe. Also the second act is a lot more violent than in the movie, which makes the show feel a lot more radical and alive.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the interesting comment.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Wonderful review Vinnie. I’ve heard so many mixed reviews, but since I loved the musical I still want to see this.
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vinnieh said:
You’ll probably love this movie then Kim.
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fernandorafael said:
Great review. I thought this was one was so boring and forgettable. Meryl Streep of course was very good but when is she not? Her “Stay With Me” was the only song that, well, stayed with me. Hated how they tried to go in a darker direction but “not really because we’re still Disney”.
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vinnieh said:
That was probably the highlight for me too. As you said, Meryl Streep always delivers sterling work.
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Beth said:
I’m eager to see it if only for the sets and tone. Thanks, Vinnie!
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vinnieh said:
Those two things you mentioned are really splendid.
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abbiosbiston said:
I straight up did not get this movie and it was so so so LONG!
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vinnieh said:
I can completely understand you there Abbi. It was way too long.
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theipc said:
Nice work! Probably not a movie for me though….
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vinnieh said:
You’re probably right there Eric.
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emmakwall said:
Nice review Vinster! I will definitely give this a whirl sometime 🙂
I watched North by Northwest at the weekend, I presume you’ve seen it? I never had before. But I thought of you, as you often review classic films!
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vinnieh said:
Oh I love North by Northwest, such a classic film.
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emmakwall said:
I knew it!!!! I knew Vinster would have watched it 🙂 🙂
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vinnieh said:
You know me too well.
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