Into the Woods Official Movie Thread — Page 156

Was lucky enough to see an advanced screening here in NYC. Into the Woods is my favorite show so I was pretty wary going in.

Without going into too much detail, it's a really REALLY good film. Nothing incredible (at least for long stretches of time), but it's definitely very satisfying.

The film is strikingly beautiful and is just about perfect in the visuals department. There are several songs that will absolutely give you goosebumps (and that huge orchestra!!), while others aren't quite as successful.

The cast - on the whole - is really quite good, especially Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep (wait till you see Stay with me and Last Midnight. Holy WOW).

My biggest problem with the film was that much of it felt....rushed, mostly to get as much in as possible. There's a big cut (I won't say what) that makes the transition from one scene to the next pretty jarring, and it doesn't give you time to adjust, or let everything sink in. I suppose this was necessary, though, given the shorter time needed for films.

Overall, it's about as good an adaptation of the musical as one could hope for (with a few missteps), knowing full well that it would have been impossible to fully capture everything that went on stage. Definitely looking forward to seeing it again next week.

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I don't think anyone is insisting that this will win best picture, nor have I seen anything remotely close to harshness toward any of the mixed reviews. As for bad reviews, I haven't really seen one here yet.

I wouldn't say the reactions are mixed. Mixed to me means half-good, half-bad. From what I've read on this long thread, responses seem to mostly positive. The few negative reactions weren't even that bad. As for Best Picture, no one is insisting that this will win or even be nominated; however, there's nothing wrong with being hopeful and optimistic about a film's success. High expectations give people something to look forward to.

^ Huh?!

^From what the general consensus is saying, we are aware of what to expect as a fan of the show but the audience may go in having not seen it they could think it could have wrapped at the end of Act One and be too different in the second half when we get to the more adult territory, it's very much a two part film with complete stories and was probably always going to be hard to handle because Act One could be a complete show in itself.

The film is established as the tale of a Baker and his Wife wanting to lift a curse whilst getting their wishes granted and intertwining with other characters who also want wishes, the first half of the play/film sees that happen and there for the established narrative plot has been completed and theoretically could end, to open up a new storyline and objective half way into the film after the initial plot line has been completed may compromise the film/play with the tonal shift and a new plot introduced after having ended the expectant one. I personally love the moral implication introduced in the Ever After period as it enhances the character driven drama but I do see why some won't like it having sat through an enjoyable Fairytale plot but structurally as a film there is usually three acts and the adaptation may not resonate as it has a very definite two act structure.

Where most films have a start, middle and end this one has a start and an end in the middle and then it establishes a new plot straight after and harks to the end with out a definitive mid-point unless you count the Giants attack as the Middle rather than the start of Act two. As the initial established plot wraps up in the first half with all characters appeased and all resolutions met the audience miss out on a full middle section because they open a new plot instead of leaving the initial plot open to develop through to the end.

If we compare other musical film adaptations we can see they fit the three act structure better, Les Mis for example has Javert still chasing after Val Jean and Chicago continues to be in jail through to the second act making the overall plot much easier to adapt to a three act film structure. In this film nothing from Act One is left open ended for them to continue with a set storyline through to the end, although added emphasis on when Cinderella throws the beans and we see a second beanstalk start to form in the film literally plants the seeds for what is to come but as we see the giant slain we disregard that this could technically be the middle part of the film had more emphasis been placed.

I hope I summed up what I meant to say correctly and not confused too many people. Haha! :p

Updated On: 12/16/14 at 08:10 AM

I still think Chris Pine sounds like a 72 year old lounge singer who just ate several peanut butter sandwiches...

@HorseTears: The father of my children DOES NOT sound like some 72 year old lounge singer who just ate several peanut butter sandwiches. Don't get it twisted.

It's the way I imagine Alan Rickman might sound in a musical.

Like in Sweeney Todd?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JivxdDwr478

Updated On: 12/16/14 at 11:21 AM

Creamy or Crunchy peanut butter?

For anyone who missed it, my baby daddy was on GMA this morning promoting the film:

Carlos, what would Daniel Sunjata think?!?

He'd understand. It's Chris Pine.

The 'Last Midnight' instrumental at the end of the album is jaw-droppingly amazing. I assume it's in the credits.

The orchestrations throughout are incredible, but I agree that the "Last Midnight" instrumental is stunning. I really couldn't be more pleased with the recording!