A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.
It has been made with plenty of high spirits but in a very choppy way. Some moments work, some don’t. The film-makers aren’t exactly lost in the woods, but nor do they ever give us much sense that they know or care in which direction they are going.
Into the Woods isn’t an unrewarding expedition. But these are now well-trodden furrows, and the route feels familiar. Fairytales aren’t supposed to feel like a hike.
This film is a mixed pleasure.
Surprisingly pedestrian.
Family entertainment with death, limb-lopping and other horrors. If you go Into The Woods today, you’ll be surprised how faithful this is to the dark stage musical.
There are brilliant, bewitching moments allied to hilarious and touching ones. Just not enough of them in what veers, at length, between the clever, the terrifying and the bit tiring.
A spellbinding, star-studded triumph.
I can’t help thinking the animations such as Shrek or Frozen have already done something similar with more unpretentious lightness and more joy.
The film-makers aren't exactly lost in the woods but nor do they ever give us much sense that they know or care in which direction they are going.
Some may find it a little too intense and theatrical for their taste but it is so wonderfully clever and played with such feeling that musical fans will find it hard to resist.
While Into the Woods doesn’t quite solve the problem of how to do a satisfying modern musical, it’s a dance step in the right direction.
It is fun seeing how the different fairytales are ingeniously woven together, enhanced by some excellent songs, and there is an intriguing twist in the tale as hard realities rudely interrupt the characters’ happily-ever-afters. Yet it is not quite funny, dark or daring enough to feel like more than the sum of its starry parts.
La Streep gives it some much-needed oomph, but just wishing upon her star power won’t make your dreams come true.
Into the Woods musical stars serenade
General release. Check local listings for show times.