Movie Review: Into the Woods

It's always interesting to see a movie based on a Broadway musical.  Sometimes it's good, like Chicago, sometimes it's not, like Jersey Boys.  Into the Woods is okay.

It is a sumptuous-looking movie, so the cinematography is wonderful.  However, part of the reason why it is okay is the material itself.  Into the Woods is a twist on traditional fairy stories.  It really doesn't have a normal plot.  The songs from the Broadway show are also not the catchiest although they are pleasant.  So these challenges are transplanted to the movie, and it's just okay because the characterization is so flat.  Now I have never seen the show no Broadway.  I certainly have familiarity with the fairy tales but there were times when the movie had inexplicable scenes.  I'm wondering if that was part of the show as well.  For example, Cinderella (played by Anna Kendrick) goes to a festival and attends a ball three nights in a row.  Each night she runs away from the prince.  You would think after the first time that the Prince would have the palace guards physically restrain her but no she keeps running away two more times.  And you're not sure why she runs away, since there is no fairy godmother with a deadline involved.  The Little Red Riding Hood story seems unfocused.  There seems to be a psychological undercurrent but it's not fully fleshed out.  So I was kind of sitting there going "Eh?"

In terms of comic relief, there were a couple of princes that were hamming it up during their bro-duet.

The standout actor is Emily Blunt, she is able to bring her character out of the two-dimensionality of the movie.  I didn't know that Meryl Streep can sing, but she did a pretty good job (if that's really her voice).   And I always like Anna Kendrick (since Pitch Perfect) although there was very little for her to do in this movie.  So I had a pleasant time watching the movie and there were a few chuckles but I don't think it's worth the price of the ticket.