I was also at the screening this evening. I thought most of the film was really excellent and several of the numbers got applause tonight. The only thing I *hated* was the concept of the wolf. I loved Blunt and Corden and was very pleasantly surprised with Streep's "Midnight" - it was actually pretty damn great. I thought she looked alright post-transformation, but I didn't love the wig/costume. I was really very pleased with the film overall, and I am now very much looking forward to seeing the finished product in December. I really think (and hope) that this could do very well!
...and I loved hearing "Night Waltz" for a few seconds the first time Cinderella goes to the festival.
Great to hear. I am so glad about these great reviews.
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So, I thought I'd share something with y'all, and I think it's quite ridiculous and funny.
So, the "bad review" was posted on IMDB, by this troll who keeps on complaining about Rapunzel and such, and it seems like everyone on that board had enough of it already. After he posted his review, another poster posted the reviews that were featured on BWW. This sort of took away that trolls credibility, and he retaliated from the good reviews, by calling BWW "a bunch of snobby theatre geeks".
Also, did the rap seem out of place. I'm sort of mixed on how common movie goers will respond to the Witch breaking out into rap during this story. It can either be really great, or it could become a subject of parody on SNL.
That is true, but I guess it depends on how they orchestrate it. If it's sounds like the 2012 production (which was much slower, and didn't sound like a rap), then it could work. It could even work with the original production music (though they may have to slow it down, so audiences could understand everything the Witch is saying).
But, if they use the 2002 music, which sounded very hip-hoppy, then it may seem out of place.
^On various forums online. Most of the time, the December releases have screenings during this month; I remember when NINE was having screenings during those months so INTO THE WOODS is natural.
The "rap" is not a hip hop rap. It's the witch telling a story. Meryl is acting through it. Every word has an emotion and expression associated with it. You will notice the excellent acting more than that she is not singing.
I have finished reading the shooting draft by James Lapine and I loved it. I'm very happy that Lapine wrote this instead of any other writer, "Your Fault/Last Midnight" is one of my favorites and from reports have said, Meryl Streep did amazing in this song.
I think I am glad the new Witch song was cut, because it didn't sound like it would fit with or satisfy the story. It was apparently about the Witch hoping Rapunzel coming back, but Rapunzel doesn't come back and the Witch leaves.
I didn't want "Rainbows" to be in the film because I thought it would put too much in the first half of the film and un-balance it, and because it was about the Baker and his Wife thinking they'll be so happy when they get their wish but in the next half they actually are still not happy and fulfilled, and it was also about how the Baker and his Wife aren't happy, and like love isn't enough. But after hearing how beautiful it is and how they do love each other in the song, I may have loved to have it in the film! But it's probably best it's not.
Rapunzel will most likely not die because the interview with Rob Marshall said she would have a "different" end. But oh how I wish she would die. I mean come one, the Witch says "this is the world I meant", how does being crazy from what the Witch did to her fit that? Then it's what the Witch did to her, not the world, that ruined Rapunzel.
I agree, as much as I really like "Rainbows", it would've slowed down the film and it is info that we already got in the story.
I really like that in the shooting draft, "On The Steps of The Palace" takes place during a flashback. Did someone say that they heard "Night Waltz" during the screening? If so then Sondheim must've done that, because he's doing the music score to this film.
"Night Waltz" is the main musical theme of Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC that starts the show. According to the person who saw the screening, there was a small piece of the waltz during the moment where Cinderella arrives to the festival, but for a brief bit.
I don't know if it will be in the final film when it comes out though.
It had better be in the final film, as it's a lovely touch. Maybe he'll add in all sorts of cameos from his other scores or from cut songs like when he did the score of Stavitsky.