Into The Woods Review
I had the extreme pleasure of seeing one of Disney’s latest films “Into The Woods.” Personally, I’ve never seen the broadway musical myself so this review is completely from the standpoint of a true first time viewing.
I have to give the movie props on multiple fronts. The cinematography was quite exquisite, the sound was superb, the music (while not originally Disney’s) was not lacking in melody or charm, and the ratio of predominately practical effects to CGI was refreshing to say the least. The actors chosen were quite good in their own rights but it was Meryl Streep’s performance that was the highlight of the film.
I have been informed (by my girlfriend who has seen the play) that the movie was very true to the original material. For those out there who have neither seen the play or movie I’ll do my best to give you a non-spoiler synopsis of the plot.
The Brothers Grimm fairytales of Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel combine into one musical adventure where all is not as it seems.
If any of you have ever read the original (Not-Disneyfied) Grimm’s Fairy Tales you know that these stories are chock full of death and dark themes. I was gladly surprised to see that Disney did not attempt to shy away from these details in this motion picture which is also pleasantly surprising to me. They even included the details about how Cinderella’s stepsisters mutilated themselves to try and fit into Cinderella’s shoe! I’ve always preferred the original stories to the sappier/happier renditions.
Any more details than that and I believe I’ll be heading into spoilers territory so…
SPOILERS!!! (You have been dutifully warned)
Our (sort of) main characters are the Baker and his wife who have been the unwitting victims of a terrible curse that has made it impossible for them to have a child of their own. So the witch (Meryl Streep) strikes a bargain with them to release the curse on the condition that they procure certain items with which to break said curse. This storyline is also running parallel to the other stories listed earlier.
Each one of the individual stories runs it’s course while intersecting with the others at strange junctions that work if you don’t think about it too hard. Riding Hood gets saved from the wolf, Rapunzel is saved from the tower, Cinderella marries the prince, and the curse is lifted! That, however is where Act 1 ends. From there we get quite an interesting story about how the Prince is a philandering jerk, the land is being attacked by a rather angry giant and (you’ll have to the see the rest for yourself because I’m not ruining anymore of it.
One thing that saddened me about the film is that it didn’t grip me emotionally at all. That could be for any number of reasons but I love stories and this one didn’t really do it for me. Don’t get me wrong though! It’s still a very well done film that was an enjoyable watch but if I never see it again I’m not going to be weeping about it.
