Movie Reviews
Into The Woods
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Review By: Lisa Steinberg
Into the Woods weaves a magical spell filled with fairy tales and wonder. Based on the hit play, the movie comes to life with song, stunning performances and modern twists on some very beloved fairy tales. Stories become intertwined as we explore the consequences of the characters’ wishes and desires. You’re not going to want to miss out on the humor, heart, or the harrowing drama.
We first meet the Baker and Baker’s Wife (played by James Corden and Emily Blunt) who want to have a baby, but unfortunately have not been able to get pregnant. Cue the wicked Witch (played by Meryl Streep) sweeping in and knocking down the door to their bakery. She informs them that Baker’s father is the reason they have no child. Baker’s mother had been pregnant and had an insatiable appetite for greens. One night, Baker’s father stole from the witch’s garden and was caught. The witch put a curse on Baker’s family and she took the baby after it was born. In order to lift the curse, Baker and his wife must procure several items within a few days time or they will never have a child. It is after that wherein Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford) who enters the bake shop to snack and grab some goodies for her sick Grandmother in the woods.
Baker sets off to the woods to seek out the items that he needs to lift the curse. It’s there he runs into Red and realizes he needs her cape as one of his items. Meanwhile, big bad Wolf (Johnny Depp) has his eye and his stomach on Red. He waits for her at Grannie’s house and eats her and the Grannie. Baker hears her screams and rushes to save her. With gratitude, she gives him her cape and he’s on his way again. Baker’s Wife, meanwhile, is rushing through the woods to help out as well and runs into Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) who is going to market to sell his cow who won’t produce milk. She traded him the cow for some magic beans and he heads back home. His mother isn’t too pleased and tosses the beans aside on the ground. When they awaken the beans have turned into a massive stalk. Jack climbs the stalk and finds himself in another world with Giants and everything oversized. He brings back some gold coins and he and his mother seem like they are set for life.
Also in the woods we meet Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) who is stuck picking up after her evil stepmother and step sisters. She has a wish to attend the three day long ball and dance with the prince. Her stepmother says that she can attend if she cleans up some beans she spills purposely into the fire. With help from some birds Cinderella makes everything clean and sneaks off to be a part of the ball. The prince (Chris Pine) becomes smitten with her, but each night she has to run out at midnight. It’s there in the woods running from the prince that Cinderella collides with Baker’s wife. Another item to procure is a gold shoe, Cinderella has it and Baker’s wife needs it. Will The Baker and The Baker’s Wife be able to get all of their items, reverse the curse and can everyone live with the consequences of their wishes?
Beautiful cinematography filled with dancing light and darkness that becomes a character in itself thanks to direction by Rob Marshall. Streep sucks you into the drama with her intense and eerie portrayal. Kendrick is charming and beguiling and brings the movie to life. Blunt doesn’t add much to film, but another wonderful standout is Huttlestone with his strong voice and deep performance.
Head to the theater and settle in for a devilish thrilling trip Into The Woods.
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