... and please excuse the mixed metaphor.
This live-action Disney musical based on the Stephen Sondheim stage production was about as enjoyable for me as a root canal. A mash-up of various fairy tales (Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella, etc) set to near-continuous terrible music and slathered in overdone CGI. The all-star cast does their best, I suppose, but the only one who made an impression was Chris Pine as a knowingly shallow Prince Charming. Meryl Streep earned Oscar nomination number 19 for her turn as a witch, and she's okay, if a bit over the top. I usually like Emily Blunt and Anna Kendrick, and they are passable here, with Kendrick's vocal skills put to some small good use. Also appearing are the insufferable James Corden (who's currently busy butchering late night television), a poorly used Tracey Ullman, a couple of annoying kids, and a wasted Johnny Depp. Fans of this stage musical may find more to like, but I pretty much hated every minute of it.
