Into the Woods (3/24/2015)

Rated PG for thematic elements, fantasy action and peril, and some suggestive material.

Starring Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine, James Corden, Emily Blunt and Tracey Ullman

Directed by Rob Marshall (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)

Not my favorite Disney film.

Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy)—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them.

When I first saw the trailer for Into the Woods, the adaptation of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical, I thought it looked like a box office smash hit. Fairy tale characters for the kids, PG-rated innuendoes for the adults, and a few Hollywood A-listers… so what wet wrong?

Please understand that I have never understood the appeal of the musical. Now before you cast judgment, I will say that there are a few exceptions. But these songs are unmemorable, the characters are annoying and the whole film is not nearly as clever as it aspires to be… plus it’s over 2 hours long.

I really was not impressed by the cast… which was a pretty big surprise for me. With names like Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine, and Emily Blunt I had higher expectations, but it left me disappointed.

But another problem is director Rob Marshall’s inability to bring the musical’s subversive elements into the next century while barely giving us a sense his characters are in the same story.

Into the Woods is now available on DVD but rent it… “Only If It’s Free.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Although this film is PG, please be aware that it feels more like a PG-13 film. Many scenes are emotionally and visually intense and more violent than one would expect.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. If you had three wishes, what would they be?


2. What do you think of the film’s message of, “Be Careful What You Wish For”?

Read Psalm 37:4

Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart’s desire.


3. In your own words, what is this verse saying?


4. What do you think the Lord wants?


5. How can you do what the Lord wants?