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Blu-ray Review Into the Woods (2014) Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

Matt Hough

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Into the Woods (2014) Blu-ray Review

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s imaginative, droll, and ultimately poignant amalgamation of four Grimm fairy stories with one of their own tales makes for a movie musical dream come true with Rob Marshall’s film version of Into the Woods. Featuring a bevy of gifted singing actors who perfectly capture the fun, whimsy, and darkness of the piece and tied in with a physical production which brings the fairy tales to life without an overuse of special effects or an unnecessarily showy presentation, Into the Woods proves to be the finest screen transcription of a Sondheim composed stage musical yet and one that lovers of the genre can’t afford to miss.



Studio: Disney

Distributed By: N/A

Video Resolution and Encode: 1080P/AVC

Aspect Ratio: 2.39.1

Audio: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish 5.1 DD, French 5.1 DD, Other

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Other

Rating: PG

Run Time: 2 Hr. 5 Min.

Package Includes: Blu-ray, Digital Copy

keep case in a slipcover

Disc Type: BD50 (dual layer)

Region: ABC

Release Date: 03/24/2015

MSRP: $39.99




The Production Rating: 4.5/5

A childless Baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) learn from the Witch (Meryl Streep) next door that the wife's barrenness is the result of a curse the old sorceress put on the house and its occupants many years before when the Baker’s father (Simon Russell Beale) stole rampion and beans from her garden. In three days’ time, a full blue moon will enable her to reverse the spell if the two can produce four objects for the Witch, all of which can be found in a nearby dense woods. It happens that the four objects are connected to fairy tale characters who are presently on their own quests there: Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) off to meet her prince (Chris Pine) at three nights of festival, Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) off to climb the beanstalk to provide for himself and his starving mother (Tracey Ullman), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford) off to see Granny (Annette Crosbie) and avoid the hungry wolf (Johnny Depp), and Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy) eager to escape her tower prison and be with her prince (Billy Magnussen). But achieving their goals comes with consequences not always to their benefit which each of the people who enter the woods eventually learn.

Playwright James Lapine has adapted his own Broadway libretto for the movie’s screenplay, and while much of the film cleaves closely and rather faithfully to the theatrical piece both literally and musically (certainly the themes and morals are the same: achieving dreams comes with consequences, the best achievements come with teamwork, children tend to copy adult behaviors), there have been some minor deletions, in some cases well-reasoned (elimination of several reprises of the title tune which on stage become quite repetitive, Jack’s brief farewell to his pet cow “Goodbye, Old Girl,” the first act finale “Ever After” since the two acts merge seamlessly into one another in the movie, the princes’ “Agony” reprise deleted since Snow White and Sleeping Beauty aren’t brought into the story and also because the staging of the song in the first half simply couldn’t be topped) and only in one instance leaving a small but noticeable hole in the film’s dramatic impact. That comes when the Baker at the end of his rope late in the story reaches an emotional climax that requires a musical epiphany (on the stage, it’s the song “No More”). Snatches of the tune play on the soundtrack, but there is no vocal, and it’s such a turning point for the Baker that the moment feels tentative and incomplete.

But the medium of film allows many of Sondheim’s complex melodies to receive a visual enhancement to expand the songs’ impact, and Rob Marshall has directed the musical numbers with economy and pace allowing his talented cast all the room in the world to act these numbers to their very cores. The Witch’s rap song, part of the unprecedented sixteen-minute opening number which serves as an introduction to many of the major characters and provides their motivations for the film’s first half, shows us visually some of the prior events she is singing about as does Little Red’s “I Know Things Now” after escaping from the wolf and Jack’s exhilarating “Giants in the Sky” which recounts his first exploits after climbing the beanstalk. Sondheim’s score is chock full of bountiful if sophisticated and intricate melodies paired with lyrics which are so astute and full of information that for many a second or third hearing is mandatory. But the songs often come from places of deep emotion: the Witch’s pleading “Stay with Me” attempting to persuade Rapunzel to remain safe in the tower, Cinderella’s thoughtful rumination on her possible choices in “On the Steps of the Palace,” the Baker and his wife sharing a cozy camaraderie in “It Takes Two,” and the two princes’ joyously competitive “Agony” splashing among a rocked-filled waterfall and oblivious to being soaked as they try to convince the other that his is the most tormenting love to bear. When things turn serious in the film’s second half, there is still some humor to be found (the Baker’s wife’s utter disbelief about her encounter with the prince in “Some Moments in the Woods”) and a calm loveliness before the storm (“No One Is Alone”) though the mood turns much graver for the most part as the protagonists quarrel in “Your Fault,” face the Witch’s condemnation in “Last Midnight,” and inevitably hear “Children Will Listen” as the mood clears at the climax.

Foremost among the performances is Meryl Streep as the Witch. Those who are only familiar with her singing in the popular but in many ways unfortunate Mamma Mia! will be astounded at her vocal dexterity and vast power and control as she caresses and thunders through her parts of the score. Dramatically, she’s very funny as she orders people about, poignant over the loss of her child, and angry at the way her life and her world are coming to an end: a musical and dramatic smorgasbord that any actress would be proud to display. Emily Blunt is likewise astonishingly resourceful and appealing as the Baker’s wife. Without getting too precious or nagging, she acquits herself wonderfully. James Corden is likewise likeable as the Baker handling the songs with a decent pitch even if there isn’t much sustain in his vocals. Anna Kendrick is a marvelous Cinderella with just enough pluck without ever becoming too needy and maturing gracefully as the story progresses. Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen are picture perfect peacocks as the princes, and Tracey Ullman lands all of her comedy moments as Jack’s exasperated mother. Johnny Depp is on and off rather quickly as the wolf to minimal impact (his song “Hello, Little Girl” seems more throwaway here than on stage) while Christine Baranski, Tammy Blanchard, and Lucy Punch make fine haughty stepmother and stepsisters respectively. As for the children, Lilla Crawford as Little Red has the better voice but doesn’t quite land all of her wonderfully droll comedy material while Daniel Huttlestone as Jack isn’t a trained singer but scores all of Jack’s best bits with surety.



Video Rating: 5/5  3D Rating: NA

The movie’s 2.39:1 theatrical aspect ratio is replicated here in a 1080p transfer using the AVC codec. Color timing has given the movie, as it was in its theatrical release, a dark look that’s not oppressive but is consistent throughout, and the Blu-ray has no problems at all resolving it resulting in excellent sharpness and outstanding color values with believable skin tones. Special effects in the movie blend in nicely with no real problems on home video. Black levels are rich and deep with outstanding shadow detail. The movie has been divided into 32 chapters.



Audio Rating: 5/5

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound mix offers the sixty-piece orchestra sounding appropriately grand and glorious filtered through all of the available channels. There are split effects with wind and magical sounds which spin by on occasion panning appropriately from front to rear. Dialogue and song lyrics have been masterfully recorded and have been placed in the center channel.



Special Features Rating: 4/5

Audio Commentary: director Rob Marshall and his producing/life partner John Deluca share vivid and generous memories of working on the production with Marshall by far doing the most talking.

“She’ll Be Back” – Deleted Song (4:48, HD): director Rob Marshall explains the reasons for cutting this newly composed number for the film before presenting Meryl Streep’s filmed rendition of it.

There’s Something in the Woods (13:23, HD): the major cast along with director Rob Marshall, producers John Deluca and Marc Platt, composer Stephen Sondheim, screenwriter James Lapine, director of photography Dion Beebe, art director Andrew Bennett, and production designer Dennis Gassner all share recollections about the project and their excitement over bringing it to the screen.

The Cast as Good as Gold (10:10, HD): the cast shares memories of what it was like to work together and to sing the intricacies of Sondheim’s score.

Deeper Into the Woods (HD): four production featurettes highlighting aspects of the movie.
  • From Stage to Screen (8:33): Rob Marshall, John Deluca, and Marc Platt discuss the aspects of the Broadway show which made them eager to tackle the show as a film musical.
  • Magic of the Woods (7:24): Rob Marshall reveals that the movie features both pre-recordings of the songs and live singing by the cast with the final result on film an amalgamation of the two. He also praises the work of his film editor Wyatt Smith and his sound editing and mixing teams.
  • Designing the Woods (7:07): both production designer Dennis Gassner and director of photography Dion Beebe discuss the melding of real woods with the studio-constructed woods set at Shepperton.
  • Costumes of the Woods (6:53): costume designer Colleen Atwood discusses her choices for the looks of the major characters and the materials used to construct the clothes.
Music & Lyrics (HD): this feature takes the viewer to any of the seventeen musical numbers with sing-along lyrics provided for them.

Easter Egg (0:50, HD): a behind-the-scenes look at how the end of Meryl Streep's "Last Midnight" was shot.

Promo Trailers (HD): Tomorrowland, Aladdin.

Digital Copy: code sheet enclosed in the case.


The Cast

She'll Be Back


Overall Rating: 4.5/5

A wonderfully energetic and imaginative film version of a beloved Broadway musical, Into the Woods looks and sounds simply splendid on this Blu-ray release. For those who are attuned to Stephen Sondheim’s decidedly unique way with words and music, the movie offers the best-ever realization of one of his composed stage works and comes highly recommended.


Reviewed By: Matt Hough


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Raul Marquez

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Great review Matt!

The only thing I don't agree with is when you call Mamma Mia "in many ways unfortunate". To this day I find Mamma Mia to be a lot of fun, with a late 70's vibe. On repeat viewings it always puts a smile on my face. Particularly during the over the top end credits with the characters dressed a la ABBA. I guess that growing up with those songs during those years has something to do with it. :)

Anyway, back to your review....

I'm sure anyone who missed it in theaters will buy it immediately after reading it. I'm just waiting to see if Best Buy will come out with a special edition of it with any special extras before getting it from Amazon.

Take care,

Raul
 

Jake Lipson

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Raul - Best Buy's website does not have any special edition listed. The ad is of course yet to be released, but typically their exclusives are up for preorder on their website in advance. As much as I would have enjoyed a steelbook or something for this title, I think it's safe to assume there will not be one, and I'm sticking with my Amazon preorder.


The stage production means a lot to me for personal reasons and was hugely influential in my life, so I saw this one four times in the theater and can't wait to bring it home.
 

Jason_V

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Raul Marquez said:
Great review Matt!

The only thing I don't agree with is when you call Mamma Mia "in many ways unfortunate". To this day I find Mamma Mia to be a lot of fun, with a late 70's vibe. On repeat viewings it always puts a smile on my face. Particularly during the over the top end credits with the characters dressed a la ABBA. I guess that growing up with those songs during those years has something to do with it. :)

Agreed. Mamma Mia! is my go to, "I'm having a terrible day" movie. It's infectiously fun, endlessly captivating and imaginative. If we're comparing the two, Into the Woods is the one that's in many ways unfortunate...dark, brooding, lacking in any fun.
 

PaulDA

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Saw this at the cinema with wife, kids and friends (a married couple with a kid). Our friends loved it. Our kids liked it. My wife and I, well, pretty much hated it (her more than me, as I found about 15 mins of the film entertaining where she found none of it remotely amusing). I'm glad the release is well-packaged and presented for its fans, but this is not something I will ever revisit willingly (not even to spend a few hours with Emily Blunt in glorious high definition--something that would usually sway me to overlook my lack of enthusiasm for the film).


Despite my disdain for this particular film, I am usually fond of musicals (both at the theatre and the cinema), so I am happy it did well at the box office and the home release is of high quality. I would hate to have the genre negatively affected by a poor showing in either format.


So, to fans...enjoy. In the meantime, I'll be off to River City.
 

Virgoan

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Just finished watching this magical film. I find the whole thing superb with amazing performances. The presentation of Sondheim's score is achingly beautiful.


For my tastes, Sondheim music requires singers who can sing and that is the serious drawback of "Sweeney Todd" which was nearly perfect in concept but seriously lacking in vocal execution. Here, however, the strength of the performers includes fine vocals that match the characters very well. I do miss a trained voice singing Jack's "Giants in the Sky", but the young actor sells it anyway. Streep is unbelievably terrific as the witch. James Corden and Emily Blunt as the Baker and his Wife moved me very much.


I'm in awe of this film.
 

Virgoan

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Jason_V said:
Agreed. Mamma Mia! is my go to, "I'm having a terrible day" movie. It's infectiously fun, endlessly captivating and imaginative. If we're comparing the two, Into the Woods is the one that's in many ways unfortunate...dark, brooding, lacking in any fun.

"Into the Woods" was never about having fun, to my way of thinking. Based on Grimm's fairy tales, it's just not meant to be a laugh fest. There is wicked humor, however, for those who appreciate it. The presentation is extremely imaginative and beautifully realized.


As for "Mamma Mia", it was okay. I don't find it endlessly anything or imaginative, but different strokes. The main problem with "Mamma Mia" is not just the unfortunate male leads, but the fact that neither sings a note that is true. They seem more like men who agreed to perform roles than actors giving their all to their parts. Meryl certainly didn't give anyone an inkling of her vocal prowess in "Mamma Mia". She is the main reason to watch it, IMO...and I offer thanks to Julie Walters and Christine Baranski, as well. But...never was an Abba fan, so perhaps my indifference to the music didn't help anything. Although, "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" manages to be VERY entertaining with Abba songs. So...go know.
 

bestactor

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There's a lot to like about this adaptation of Into the Woods. I'm totally bummed out that they did not film the reprise of Agony that is even funnier than the first. If anyone knows why that mistake was made please share. This would have added a whole 2-3 minutes and would have greatly enriched the second half. Considering how much was kept for the film I'd love to know the why not for this.
 

Matt Hough

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bestactor said:
There's a lot to like about this adaptation of Into the Woods. I'm totally bummed out that they did not film the reprise of Agony that is even funnier than the first. If anyone knows why that mistake was made please share. This would have added a whole 2-3 minutes and would have greatly enriched the second half. Considering how much was kept for the film I'd love to know the why not for this.

I felt I explained the rationale for the omission in my review. The purpose of that reprise in the stage show was to introduce to the audiences the new loves that the fickle princes had moved on with: Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, but since those characters were not brought forward into the storytelling, the need for the reprise wasn't there. Yes, it's funny in the show, but why have it in the movie if you aren't going to bring in those new fairy tale characters. They pretty much dispensed with the princes and focused more tightly on the core group who was fighting the giantess.
 

David Weicker

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Matt,

While your explanation makes sense, the reprise does serve another function - to show that the Princes are bored with their Happy Ending.
It sets up Prince Charming's dalliance with the Baker's Wife. Without it, it's a jarring out-of-left-field scene when he cheats on Cinderella.

In addition, it deprives the audience from knowing that dwarfs are very upsetting [emoji32]
 

Matt Hough

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Well, since the man who wrote the original stage version also wrote the film's screenplay, he obviously knew that the work needed streamlining for the movies. The princes, while very entertaining, don't really form the crux of the piece. Cinderella's disenchantment with her lot is more important than the prince's fickle behavior, and Rapunzel and her prince are even less necessary in the narrower focus of the movie. Hence, the omissions.
 

classicmovieguy

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Can you IMAGINE the uproar that would have ensued from parents over the Snow White & Sleeping Beauty characters if they had indeed been retained for the film version? "Those home-wrecking princesses!".
 

Matt Hough

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It is kind of ironic that here Disney had its Cinderella break up with Prince Charming in this movie and then a few months later, they release their live action Cinderella and unite her with him again!
 

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