I just saw the movie. Where do I begin? It was magnificent, glorious, beautiful, and moving! A stellar adaptation of a stellar musical!
When the trailers started, I couldn't help but feel there were too many, and I wanted the film to start! Then, the lights dimmed, and I knew I was about to see something magnificent. The opening words in voice over said, "once upon a time", and the opening number started with the opening "clang" we all know. This number was amazing. The camera zooms, the quick pace, and the rhythmic pulse of the music boomed through the speakers. In just these few moments, I could tell the cast was brilliant! My favorite part of the number came when James Corden (who delivered a magnificent performance) said with fear in his eyes, "it's the Witch from next door". Then Meryl Streep completely transformed as the Witch (my favorite character entered). She killed the rap! She brought humor and excellent acting to it. The rest of the opening number was equally magnificent! I thought I was dreaming many times.
I could go on and on about all the scenes and how each scene was perfect, but for the sake of this review, I won't.
Performances...as I said before the cast was excellent!
Meryl Streep- Wow! Talk about a stellar performance! Her Witch had so many layers to it, and she brought it all out in a way it never has been before, though that may have to do with the intimacy of the film compared to the stage, The love for her daughter that she brought out was beautiful, and she made excellent choices in line readings (which were all spot on). There was this one moment that really resonated. It was just before her big transformation, and she found out the ingredients were wrong. Other actresses who played the role just chased the Baker and the Wife around the stage as she said "yes", but Meryl Streep said this she was not monstrous! Instead tears welled in her eyes as she knew that her dream of pleasing her daughter would not be fulfilled; the love she brought to the Witch caused the audience to root for her all the way through, and when she transformed (a wonderful transformation I must add, and I am still trying to process why people doubted she could pull it off), and when she was rejected by her daughter, she made the Witch's heart turn to stone...she was sarcastic and seemingly unfeeling. Brilliant performance Ms Streep! Last Midnight...just...I get chills thinking about it,
Blunt and Corden- They were magnificent, and their chemistry was off the charts! It made me enjoy It Takes Two which was never a favorite of mine. Blunt was magnificent and brought so much to the Bakers wife....Moments in the Woods alone should give her every award she's nominated for and I hope she wins the Golden Globe. Corden broke everyone's heart in the seen that would've been No More. There was one
small change in their relationship in the 2nd Act from the stage show, and it was much welcome!
Anna Kendrick- She was very good and excellent...she brought a younger and more modern tone to Cinderella , and it was wonderful!
Chris Pine- The raves are true! Though I wouldn't say he "stole the show" , he was very good in his scenes, but I think Billy Magnuseen needs more praise for his performance. See the movie and you will see why....he was very funny, and for the first time, I thought Rapunzel's prince was more than just this 2-dimensional character.
Everyone else was just as fantastic, and Lila and Daniel were perfection in their roles, and I hope real kids are cast in these roles again, as it brings more meaning, feeling, and emotion to No One Is Alone.
In summary....
GO TO THE WOOD!!!
Updated On: 12/25/14 at 04:34 PM