Into the Woods (2014)

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.

Director:

Rob Marshall

Writers:

James Lapine (screenplay by), James Lapine (based on the musical by)

Stars:

Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 71 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anna Kendrick	...	Cinderella
Daniel Huttlestone	...	Jack
James Corden	...	Baker / Narrator
Emily Blunt	...	Baker's Wife
Christine Baranski	...	Stepmother
Tammy Blanchard	...	Florinda
Lucy Punch	...	Lucinda
Tracey Ullman	...	Jack's Mother
Lilla Crawford	...	Little Red Riding Hood
Meryl Streep	...	Witch
Simon Russell Beale	...	Baker's Father
Joanna Riding	...	Cinderella's Mother
Johnny Depp	...	Wolf
Billy Magnussen	...	Rapunzel's Prince
Mackenzie Mauzy	...	Rapunzel

Storyline

Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a musical format that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel-all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

---

Plot Keywords:

cinderella | little red riding hood | based on stage musical | witch | singing | 

---

Taglines:

Be careful what you wish for

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Musical

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, fantasy action and peril, and some suggestive material.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Into the Woods

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,051,923, 28 December 2014, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$128,002,372

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$212,902,372

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lucamar Productions, Marc Platt Productions, Moving Pictures Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second film that James Corden has appeared in which involved the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. The first was Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story (2001), where he played a giant.

---

Goofs

A camera (or cameraman) can be seen in the puddles on the left during The Baker's Wife's first interaction with Cinderella.

---

Quotes

Baker's Wife: You've changed. You're daring. You're different in the woods.

---

Crazy Credits

The Disney logo appears without music and fireworks, and is flanked by forest trees and the full moon, reflecting the woods setting of the story.

---

Connections

Referenced in Film '72: Episode dated 17 December 2014 (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Agony
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Performed by Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen

User Reviews

Excellent Adaptation. All the Hate is Unjustified.

I have seen both the original Broadway play and this film adaptation, and I can gladly say that this lives up to the original's reputation. The only major change is with one aspect of Rapunzel's storyline.

There are 3 types of people who hated the movie:

1. Parents who thought this isn't suitable for kids. Well, this doesn't say anything about how good the movie actually is. Yes, not all the content is for kids; heck the original isn't meant for kids at all. Even then, I don't think its that worrisome. If you think it is, just don't let your kids watch it; but you can enjoy the story.

2. Fans of the original who are complaining about every little change. People, its an adaptation; certain things need to be changed when transitioning to a different medium of storytelling. And some of the small changes are actual improvements to the original.

3. Those who weren't expecting a musical. I don't get this one. If you don't like musicals, fine! But you can't rate it 1 star just because its a musical!

If you are looking for a typical Disney movie, look away. But if you care about originality and want to witness familiar stories in a different light, this is it. It has Disney characters but uses them to deliver a more realistic and mature point of view about the world. The story as a whole has some really good messages, but people seem to be stuck up on the fact that it defied their expectations. As Into the Woods points out, your actions have real consequences and sometimes your wishes come true but not quite in the way you expected. Be ready for an unexpectedly twisted journey...

"Into the woods- Each time you go, There's more to learn Of what you know."

10 Stars!