Into the Woods

Name: Into the Woods
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family, Musical
Released: December 25, 2014
Duration: 125 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, Frances De La Tour, James Corden

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 412 Ratings

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6.0

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6.0	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 412 Ratings

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Into The Woods

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Movie Details & Credits

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2014 | PG

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, Frances De La Tour, James Corden, Johnny Depp, Lilla Crawford, Lucy Punch, Meryl Streep

Summary: Into the Woods is a modern twist on 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 theInto the Woods is a modern twist on 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 & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them. [Walt Disney Pictures]… Expand

Director: Rob Marshall

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family, Musical

Rating: PG

Runtime: 125 min

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Critic Reviews

Stephen Holden

Dec 24, 2014

Into the Woods, the splendid Disney screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical, infuses new vitality into the tired marketing concept of entertainment for “children of all ages.” That usually translates to mean only children and their doting parents. But with Into the Woods, you grow up with the characters, young and old, in a lifelong process of self-discovery. Read full review

Marc Mohan

Dec 27, 2014

The big star with the most unexpected chops, though, is Chris Pine, who runs with his Prince Charming role and, along with Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel's Prince, contributes the movie's best musical moment with the duet "Agony." Read full review

David Rooney

Dec 17, 2014

This twisty fairy-tale mash-up shows an appreciation for the virtues of old-fashioned storytelling, along with a welcome dash of subversive wit. It benefits from respect for the source material, enticing production values and a populous gallery of sharp character portraits from a delightful cast. Read full review

Rex Reed

Dec 17, 2014

Another example of concept over coherence, but the entertainment value is considerable. Read full review

Peter Travers

Dec 24, 2014

Yes, the sets and costumes elicit swoons, but it's the peerless Sondheim score, however truncated, that makes this Woods a prime destination. Read full review

R. Kurt Osenlund

Dec 19, 2014

This PG-rated romp is, refreshingly, less notable for its happily-ever-afters than its oh-no-they-didn'ts. Read full review

Mike Scott

Dec 22, 2014

As strong as that cast and those visuals are, however, they don't quite add up enough to guarantee a happily-ever-after for moviegoers looking for a memorable in-theater experience. Read full review

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User Reviews

slayde11

Dec 27, 2014

This is one of the most captivating and affecting film adaptations of a stage musical I've seen! As a word of caution, do NOT presume that because the plot is based upon "interwoven fairy tales" this is intended to be a feel-good kids' movie. Acquaint yourself with the (excellent) 3-hourThis is one of the most captivating and affecting film adaptations of a stage musical I've seen! As a word of caution, do NOT presume that because the plot is based upon "interwoven fairy tales" this is intended to be a feel-good kids' movie. Acquaint yourself with the (excellent) 3-hour Sondheim musical and you'll soon realize that the aim of this story is to explore what occurs *beyond* the happy endings. The events of the second half are dark, yes; but the overall message is hopeful (listen to the words of the movie's final two songs). Certain changes and omissions were necessary to get the film version down to a palatable running length, and huge fans of the stage musical may be put off by some of these. Personally, though, I feel that they were appropriate given the totally different demands of each medium. I was blown away by the performances and the amazing vocal talents of the cast as a whole. The actors pulled off those notoriously intricate Sondheim arrangements beautifully -- and there are many moments of humor to lighten the mood. In particular, Chris Pine as the "charming-not-sincere" prince gave an especially funny, tongue-in-cheek performance. This movie is a reflection of life itself with a magical fairy tale twist: colorful, touching, energetic, humorous, sad, ultimately uplifting and so very, very well done.… Expand

15 of 24 users found this helpful159

PistonHonda

Jan 3, 2015

OH MY GOD, THIS FILM IS BASED ON A MUSICAL.
BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IT BEFORE I WENT TO SEE IT.
Cue automatic score of 0.
Seriously, people. This film is not bad for what it is - a faithful adaptation of one of the most interesting stage performances in recent history.
Yes, it is 90%+ music and

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

horcrux2007

Jan 1, 2015

The music, acting, scenery, and pretty much everything else was great in this. It gets kinda dark halfway through, but the movie has quite a bit of good humor. It's the best musical film since Les Misérables.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

BHBarry

Jan 11, 2015

"Into the Woods" is the musical adaptation of the Brothers' Grimm fairy tales interwoven by writers James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim in this film directed by Rob Marshall. The film stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine and Anna Kendrick with music and lyrics by Mr. Sondheim. I saw the"Into the Woods" is the musical adaptation of the Brothers' Grimm fairy tales interwoven by writers James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim in this film directed by Rob Marshall. The film stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine and Anna Kendrick with music and lyrics by Mr. Sondheim. I saw the Broadway production of this property and felt then, as I do now, that Mr. Sondheim wears a crown a little too big for his 'music and lyrics" title and talent. He is a wonderful lyricist but unlike Messrs. Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Frank Loesser, he fails to succeed as a composer of memorable or even hummable tunes. Take away "Send in the Clowns" and "You Are Not Alone" (from the subject film) and you are left with a one dimensional writer. Just as Richard Rodgers needed Messrs. Hart and Hammerstein, so, on the other end of the spectrum, does Mr. Sondheim need Leonard Bernstein, Jules Styne or some other fine musical composer. As far as the film is concerned, and as clever and witty as the lyrics are, the numbers are too long and, as a result, create a movie experience that causes the viewer to wish it would end at least 30 or 40 minutes before it actually does. One must also recognize the obvious intention of the producers to "get their money's worth" from Ms. Streep who is over utilized and, as in her role in Mamma Mia, is at her best in a non-musical setting. This is a film where the exceptionally gifted cast is placed in a vehicle not really worthy of their respective talents. I give the film a 6 rating and cannot, in good conscience recommend it.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

vgmkyle

May 6, 2016

It's theatrical and fun, but the movie really does drag on after a while... like almost any play I don't get the screaming and stupidity, but the production values are really good and the songs are almost tolerable.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

GreatMartin

Dec 25, 2014

On December 25, 2002, I went to see the movie musical “Chicago” and during the two weeks after that I went back to see it 4 times. On December 25, 2006, I went to see the movie musical “Dreamgirls”, fell in love with Jennifer Hudson and the movie, went back to see it 6 times and bought theOn December 25, 2002, I went to see the movie musical “Chicago” and during the two weeks after that I went back to see it 4 times. On December 25, 2006, I went to see the movie musical “Dreamgirls”, fell in love with Jennifer Hudson and the movie, went back to see it 6 times and bought the DVD. In 2009, on December 25, I went to see the movie musical “Nine” and have never seen it again. In 2012, December 25, I went to the opening of the movie musical “Les Miserables” and returned to see it 4-5 times and watched it on HBO a couple of times. Today I went to the opening of the movie musical “Into The Woods” and won’t be seeing it again.

I came to the movie with some prejudices including not being a fan of Meryl Streep which I know is sacrilegious to the world of acting but I always seem to feel and I can see, she is ‘acting’. She does sing her numbers well but her last big number just lays there.

My other prejudice is that though I love and think Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics are genius I don’t feel that most of the shows his music has been in are worthy of his songs. In most cases the books, including this one, by James Lapine, have not been up to the task.

For those who don’t know about the movie it is old, known fairy tales most without the happy ending we know. There is the baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt), Jack and his magic beans (Daniel Huttlestone), his mother (Tracy Ullman), Cinderella (Ann Anna Kendrick), her stepmother (Christine Baranski) the two stepsisters (Tammy Blanchard and Lucy Punch) her Prince Charming (Chris Pine) and his brother (Billy Magnussen). There is Red Riding (Lilla Crawford), the big bad wolf (Johnny Depp), Rapunzel (MacKenzie) and a Lady Giant (Frances de la Tour).

Depp’s appearance is a cameo and sort of salacious. Ullman is spot on and should have given more to do while Emily Blount, James Corden are standouts and Chris Pine gets the funniest line in the movie which I let you discover for yourself.

The production values are all first rate and Rob Marshall direction isn’t as frantic as it has been in previous movies. Those familiar with the stage version will walk out humming a couple of the songs while those new to the score will know the title tune by the time they walk out.

I don’t feel it is a film for kids because of the change in the paths of the fairy tales and I only can recommend it to adults familiar with the stage version and/or Stephen Sondheim fans such as me.… Expand

3 of 13 users found this helpful310

bartylak

Apr 14, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. All I can think is now, I'm going to have to carefully review Disney movies for my child to watch. I'm very disappointed from a certain song that wants to devour a lil girl. In words you do not want your child to hear. Lets just say, if you was ever in another room and you heard that song. You will be screaming to turn off that perverted show or movie. Everyone I watched this movie with, can see that song for years to come showing up in shows like "Criminal Minds, Law and Order SVU" to name just a couple. Worst part is you just know, that their are now sexual predators playing that song over and over. Sickening song. But apparently the sexual predator vibe is ok, even in a Disney movie now. Also, a home-wrecking scene of literally a prince cheating. Literally cheating on his wife with a married woman. Then the whole ordeal of a song of who was to blame for cheating? Child appropriate? Somewhere in there, you have a witch making a woman ten months pregnant and out pops a baby, in the same day From the first Min to the last, this was not a child appropriate movie.. How was any of that appropriate for what should have been a child appropriate Disney Movie? I'm so disappointed in Disney. The brand is known for such great quality family entertainment, that is child appropriate. If your going to do a movie like that, create a new brand to go with it. For example, Nora Roberts doesn't put her name under her Eve series. Instead she goes by J.D. Robb. Still her but the brand, you could say changes. Cause you just made a ton of people extremely wary of the Disney brand now. And rightfully soo. Very disappointed.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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37	#37 Most Discussed Movie of 2014
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