“I was raised to be charming, not sincere.” ~ Prince Charming
This is probably the most anticipated movie of the holiday season. And rightfully so. I got to screen Into the Woods on Monday night and I was enchanted. What a delightful film adaptation of the Tony®-winning musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics. Director Rob Marshall (Chicago,and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) does not disappoint. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1987 and ran for 764 performances winning Tony® Awards for Best Score, Best Book of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical.
Into the Woods is a modern twist on several of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy), all tied together by an original story involving a Baker and his Wife (James Corden and Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the Witch (Meryl Streep), who has put a curse on them.
I highly recommend this film for your entire family. And who doesn’t want to see Chris Pine as Prince Charming? Superb performances from Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt who are working together again (they were both in The Devil Wears Prada).
Into the Woods will be released in theaters December 25, 2014 and is rated PG. To keep up with announcements be sure to LIKE their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/DisneyIntoTheWoods
Enjoy this movie! A+ xoxo- Tanya
Photos: File photos
Tags: movie
OK, so thanks to my wonderful blogger wife I too got to screen “Into the Woods”. Since two of my offspring performed in the play in college and high school, I was familiar with the play and enjoy it very much. Here’s my 2 cents.
The movie was very good, if not great, right from the start. The opening few minutes promised that this was going to be a super movie, and the promise was kept. One thing – it is pretty well true to the stage play, including its length…it is very long. Another thing with the kids in mind…it’s not a fairy tale, it is a dark story about a fairy tale. I think it would be too much for the younger kids but great for more mature teens. The youngest I’d take would be very mature pre-teens so they could really enjoy it.
Act 1 plays out variations on the familiar fairy tales of Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel woven together with their traditional happy endings. Act 2 explores the darker possibilities of getting what you want.
Meryl Streep steals the movie and who knew…she can sing! Great Musical brought to the big screen. I’d go again!
WOW! Great recap Pete Foster.
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xoxo-
Tanya