Review - Into the Woods (2014)

         Hey guys, Chuck here, and today I'm taking a look at Into the Woods, Disney's 2014 feature film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's stage musical based upon the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Into the Woods was directed by Rob Marshall, and featured a stellar cast including the likes of Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracy Ullman, Christine Baranski, Lilla Crawford, Daniel Huttlestone, Frances De La Tour, Mackenzie Mauzy, Billy Magnussen, and Johnny Depp. 

       So, while the movie features elements of the classic fairy tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood, the movie ultimately focuses on a baker and his wife, who dream of one day having a child. Unfortunately, a witch who lives next door to them tells them it's impossible, due to a curse on the Baker's family. Years earlier, the Baker's father stole greens from the Witch's garden, which she allowed in exchange for his wife's soon-to-be-born daughter. However, the Baker's father stole the Witch's magic beans, causing her to become old and hideous in an instant. So, after taking the newborn baby girl, the Witch also cursed the Baker's family to always be childless going forward. However, the Witch can make a potion to fix herself on the night of the blue moon in a few nights. What does she need? Well, the ingredients are as follows: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. 

       So, it's off to the woods to find the four ingredients. This leads the baker and his wife to have encounters with Little Red Riding Hood, Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella. Also, the Baker's wife finds the doorless tower that the Witch locked the Baker's sister, whom the witch named Rapunzel, inside of. Also, both Rapunzel and Cinderella catch the affections of two Princes, both brothers, who are just outright ridiculous. I mean, seriously, these two really ham things up , especially during the song "Agony." We get it, Chris Pine, you're Captain Kirk. But, that doesn't mean you have to be as hammy as William Shatner, dude. But, I will say one positive about Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince: he does have perfect hair. 

        Also, the Baker ends up saving both Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother from the stomach of a wolf. And, let me just say that Johnny Depp's Tex Avery inspired look for the Wolf is just...weird. Don't get me wrong, casting Johnny Depp as the Wolf was awesome, and having him sing again was a lot of fun. But, the stage produced versions of the Wolf were terrifying, like a wolf-like monstrosity. Depp looks like, well, Depp. But, again, his singing in the movie is pretty good. 

      Now, of course, the Baker and his wife trade five of the Witch's beans, which they still had, for Jack's cow Milky White, and his mother tosses the beans, which grow into a massive beanstalk. And what lies atop the beanstalk? Giants. A husband and wife pair of giants, to be exact. And, Jack nabs a lot of stuff from the Giants, such as five pieces of gold, a golden egg, and a magic harp. The latter object, which he was dared to get by Little Red Riding Hood, causes him to be chased by one of the Giants, and Jack chops down the beanstalk, causing the Giant to fall to his death. But, one question. Is the Witch successful? Well, after cutting off Rapunzel's hair and leaving her in a swamp, the Witch is able to have the potion be successful, but with one issue: Rapunzel's hair was unusable for the potion because of a rule that the Witch can't touch any of the four ingredients. Luckily, some silly hair from a cob of corn was suitable for use, so the potion was successful. The Witch is no longer hideous, and the Baker and his wife have a son. Meanwhile, Cinderella and her Prince get married, as do Rapunzel and her Prince. Happy endings all around, right? 

       Nope! You see, to get Cinderella's golden shoe, the Baker's wife gave her the last of the beans, which was tossed away and grew into another beanstalk. This beanstalk was used by the Giant's wife to climb down and seek Jack for her husband's death. Jack's mother dies on accident, Rapunzel and her Prince ride off to parts unknown, and the Baker's wife tragically dies as well. Jack is found, and an argument over whether or not to hand him over to the Giant's wife. After a song that sees blame being cast back and forth, the Witch has easily my favorite moment of the movie, where she tosses her few remaining beans around, and ultimately melts away, leaving behind a tar puddle. 

        After walking off elsewhere, the Baker comes back for his son, and he makes up a plan: use Jack as bait, have the Giant's wife step in the tar puddle, and cause her to lose her balance and fall to her death. Luckily, this plan is successful, but the Baker is unsure of how he can raise his son without his wife there with him. But, his wife's spirit reassures him he isn't alone, and he knows what to do. So, the Baker tells of the story of the events of the movie, with Jack,. Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella all listening in. Oh, and Cinderella and her Prince end up ending things with each other, because of a moment where he and the Baker's wife shared a kiss or two. Anyway, the movie ends with an overhead shot of the Woods, now different than before. 

       As far as film musicals go, Into the Woods isn't bad, it's just... different. Now, something worth noting is that Sondheim's original version is much darker, with many adult overtones that come off as a bit uncomfortable, especially in regards to the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood. Also, we see both Princes leave Cinderella and Rapunzel for Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, making both look like unfaithful assholes. Ultimately, in order to maintain a more family friendly appearance, Disney toned down some of the more adult elements, making the scenes between the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood less creepy, and making both Princes not be complete douchebags. Although, we still get that scene between Cinderella's Prince and the Baker's wife. So, yeah. 

        But, easily the most memorable part of the movie is the performances. James Corden, Mackenzie Mauzy, Billy Magnussen, and Christine Baranski are all decent, and both Lilla Crawford and Daniel Huttlestone were fine as far as kid actors go. But, the real standouts here were Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Tracy Ullman, Chris Pine, and Johnny Depp. All six of them just give it their all in this movie, and really are what make the movie work. 

        Now, both the set design, costume design, and the overall look of the Woods are also highlights for me. Honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed the production design on Into the Woods, as it really gave a sense of actually being in a world where these fairy tales are taking place at the same time. And, of course, the songs by Stephen Sondheim are all memorable, especially the ones performed by Meryl Streep. Anna Kendrick's performance of "On the Steps of the Palace" was absolutely fantastic as well, as well the performance of the title song at the beginning, as well as Emily Blunt and James Corden's performance of "It Takes Two." But, the rest range from okay to just...weird. 

         All in all, I enjoyed Into the Woods. For his second collaboration with Disney, Rob Marshall made an enjoyable adaptation of a Sondheim musical. Now, while I still prefer Tim Burton's adaptation of Sweeney Todd, Rob Marshall made a fun adaptation of Into the Woods, and I'm giving it a rating of 4.35/5. Anyway guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll be next taking a look at another collaboration between Disney and Rob Marshall: Mary Poppins Returns.