Into the Woods
Directed by Rob Marshall
Distrubuted by Walt Disney Studios
Rob Marshall, director of Chicago, has again managed to successfully blur the line between stage and film in his adaptation of Into the Woods, based on Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award production. The musical is an intertwining adaptation of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk. We follow these characters as they make their wishes and see sometimes what you wish for may not be what you want in the end.
Most musical adaptations fail to transfer what the stage offers into what the screen can offer. They remain trapped in the stage world and it is not able to adapt effectively. Marshall, however, found a way to ensure this film remains true to the stage production but utilize its capacity as a film so the humour and emotion could come through the screen.
The first half of the musical is a lighthearted adventure riddled with humour and a bright atmosphere. This flips in the second half. After everyone’s wishes have come true in the first half, there is a turn of events which cause them to go back into the woods. When they return to the woods, the atmosphere has become darker and more dangerous than before. This switch of environment is intriguing to see because on stage this switch isn’t as noticeable, whereas the camera accented these small and distinctive changes.
The decision to exclude some of the reprises and repetitive songs was effective because it allowed the movie to carry at a faster pace. While some musical theatre fans will miss these songs it made the movie flow better as a whole.
In addition to a changing environment and the adaptation of the soundtrack, Into the Woods is equipped with an optimal film cast. Meryl Streep plays the witch that sparks the largest plot development within the story. As always, she gives a top-notch portrayal and her vocals will not disappoint fans of the initial Broadway cast.
The other leading ladies in the cast are Anna Kendrick and Emily Blunt. Each are delightful to watch on screen and their voices do justice to Sondheim’s work.
The children cast members are Daniel Huttlestone and Lilla Crawford. Both of them have big voices and never faltered being next to more experienced actors.
The men of the cast were brilliant for the majority of the movie. The show stealers are the two princes played by Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen. Their rendition of “Agony” will leave audiences in hysterics. James Corden as the baker was sweet and his acting was well done but is not the most memorable cast member.
Into the Woods is a must-see for musical fans and anyone who enjoys a fun comedy. The actors all do justice to what is expected of stage adaptations and the scenery is beautiful. It is an ideal musical for people of all ages to enjoy.
