Into the Woods (2014)

And here is the 700th post!

 To celebrate, let's talk about Hollywood's latest musical

If you're feeling nostalgic, here's 100 ... 200 ... 300 ... 400 ... 500 ... 600 .

"I was raised to be charming, not sincere."

Once upon a time, a childless Baker (Corden) and his Wife (Blunt) long to have a baby.  They learn that the Witch (Streep) that lives next door placed a curse on the family.  She gives them 3 days to find 4 items to break the curse: the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, and the slipper as pure as gold.  So they set off into the woods to start the journey.

In the woods, their path crosses with a slew of people on their own journeys.  Jack (Huttlestone) is supposed to sell the cow so he and his Mother (Ullman) have money for food.  Little Red Riding Hood (Crawford) is going to visit her sick granny.  Cinderella (Kendrick) is running away from the Prince (Pine), and Rapunzel (Mauzy) sings in her tower.  Can they all find and keep their happy endings?

I was cautiously optimistic about this film.  As I mentioned before, I enjoy this show, and hoped that it would still be story I love.  Rob Marshall proved that he could deliver a solid, crowd-pleasing musical with Chicago, but then he crashed with Nine.  I planned to the see the film in theaters regardless, but was excited by the positive reviews and the recommendations of friends.

The film retains most of the songs and characters from Stephen Sondheim's show.  The songs that are not performed, are heard as instrumentals.  Apparently new songs were written and recorded for the film, but they did not make the final cut.  Marshall and the screenwriters cut back on the violence and darker themes of the story, without compromising the overarching story.  I was disappointed that they changed Rapunzel's outcome and characteristics, but I understand the decision.  I missed the big Act I finale "Ever After" and cut portions of some songs.  I also missed the traditional Narrator character, who brings so much to the stage show.

The casting is excellent.  Most of the praise seems to go to Meryl Streep, and deservedly so.  She is great int he role of the Witch.  However, I was most impressed with Emily Blunt.  She has a great voice and is the showiest role, besides the Witch.  James Corden was delightful as the Baker.  Anna Kendrick delivered as Cinderella.  Lilla Crawford and Daniel Huttlestone were perfect as Red and Jack.

I was nervous about Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen (who I was unfamiliar with) as the Princes... but any fears disappeared when they sang "Agony," which had my theater roaring with laughter.  They are great, and I wish they had the opportunity to sing the reprise, and get the same ending as their theater versions... but it was still enjoyable.  The only character I didn't like was MacKenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel.  She just didn't have the excitement of the rest of the cast.

The sets were fantastic, and the costumes by Colleen Atwood are impressive.  A well-made movie musical, based on a beloved Broadway musical.  Definitely worth checking out! 

Into the Woods (2014) 125 minutes
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Meryl Streep as The Witch
Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife
James Corden as The Baker
Anna Kendrick as Cinderella
Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince
Johnny Depp as The Wolf
Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood
Daniel Huttlestone as Jack
Tracey Ullman as Jack's Mother
MacKenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel
Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel's Prince
Christine Baranski as Cinderella's Stepmother
Tammy Blanchard as Florinda
Lucy Punch as Lucinda