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And when lightning bolts fly from her fingers, and make fields of thorns, it is not special effects doing this, but MERYL, for real, because she is, well,......MERYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which is by way of saying I found the film version of "Into The Woods" acceptable. Oh, I know, it does not begin to equal the perfection of the 1987 Broadway original. The introductory music was sped up too fast, and the timing of it with the narrator's opening, "Once upon a time..." was off; the songs, "Maybe They're Really Magic," (which I love!) and the brilliant, moving "No More" (which is to this show what "Our Time" is to 'Merrily'!!!!!!!!!!) have been eliminated, Rapunzel does not die, the ending is off, and, in one sequence during the Festival, strains of the 'Night Music' score are heard. And the first act finale, "Happily Ever After" only gets a brief instrumentation. As a Theater Queen and purist, you really did not expect me to just dismiss these imperfections, did you?????????
That said, I was so surprised by how much was retained, how well cast and sung it all was, that I am going to go out on a limb and say that, despite imperfections, "Into The Woods" is to date the best film adaptation of a Sondheim musical. Better than that awful "Sweeney Todd," I can tell you, which butchered a brilliant score!!!!!!!!!!! Butchered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why is this film so good? Because the actors, for a change, are not overpowered by the special effects.
With each role, MERYL just keeps revealing how DIVINE she is! I cried real tears, darlings, over her moving rendition of "Stay," and her climactic "Last Midnight" is a true film show stopper that had the audience applauding.
MERYL, along with Emily Blunt and James Corden, are the heart and soul of the movie. The couple, the Baker and his Wife, are absolutely heart rending. Emily Blunt is a revelation, with her singing and musical timing, and she brings a dramatic intensity to the part that compliments Mr. Corden's poignant work. I was amazed at how much of the score was left in--"Giants In The Sky," marvelously sung by Daniel Huddlestone, as Jack. You may remember him, darlings, from two years ago, as Gavroche in the film version of "Les Miserables!!!!!!!!!" There may have been some lyric adjustments to "On The Steps Of The Palace," but the climax is retained,and Anna Kendrick, as Cinderella, renders it superbly, though I could not help wishing for either Jessie Mueller or Amy Adams!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Giant, who was never seen on stage, is visible here, in the person of Frances de la Tour. Now, during the 1987 original, which was a different time, it was said that the Giant in the show was a metaphor for AIDS. That has changed; now I think she is a metaphor for Anna Wintour!!!!!!!!!! Who would be pretty impressed with the costumes, especially MERYL's, when she transforms into the Glam Witch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lilla Crawford, Broadway's recent original Annie, is a superb Red Riding Hood, and sings beautifully. Her song is retained, but am I the only one who noticed that, minus the cape, the cut and style of her dress, plus her hairstyle, becomes almost a visual homage to Judy Garland as Dorothy in "The Wizard Of Oz?" I wonder if that was intentional, or not?????????????
It is not to die for, darlings, but it is to be seen! Oh, and Tammy Blanchard, as one of the Stepsisters, and Christine Baranski as the Stepmother are perfectly cast--someone was watching over this film, to see that things were done as right as they could be. And they have!
Not to mention, my new favorite line from the show--
And for MERYL worshipers, here she is with "Last Midnight!!!!!!!!!!" Simply brilliant, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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