Blu-ray Review: Into The Woods

Into The Woods
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Borden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Retail: $39.99
ASIN: B00Q7WBFTA
Running Time: 125 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on Blu-ray and Digital HD this week is the critically-acclaimed all-star musical Into The Woods. Directed by Rob Marshall, the film stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Borden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine and Johnny Depp.

Bonus Features include: Never-Before-Seen Sodeheim Orginial: "She'll Be Back" - Meryl Streep preforms a song composed especially for the flim with an introduction by director Rob Marshall; The Cast As Good As Gold - The film's stars share the experience of taking this epic musical journey; Deeper Into The Woods - Four pieces on the making of the film, including "The Magic Of The Woods"; Filmmaker Commentary; Music & Lyrics and more!

Based on the popular Tony Award-winning Broadway Musical by Stephen Sondheim, Into The Woods puts a magical spin on classic fairy tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel. A Baker (played by James Corden) and his Wife (played by Emily Blunt) dream of having a child of their own, but thanks to a nasty curse that was placed upon the Baker's family, they're destined to be childless that is until the Witch (played by Meryl Streep) gives them a chance for a happliy ever after. They're to venture into the forest to collect these items for the Witch: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a slipper as pure as gold.

What seems like a simple task, turns into a nightmare when Red Riding Hood (played by Lilla Crawford) heads into the forest to visit her Grandmother (played by Annette Crosbie) and encounters the Big Bad Wolf (played by Johnny Depp). Of course Red Riding Hood comes across the Baker and his Wife.
A young boy named Jack (played by Daniel Huttlestone) journeys into the forest to sell his off his prized cow, which just happens to be the cow that the Baker and Wife are looking for, so they give the boy a few beans in exchange for the cow.

Cinderella (played by Anna Kendrick) is also in the woods, fleeing from her Prince (played by Chris Pine). Another Prince (played by Billy Magnussen) happens to be in the same area searching for his great love - Rapunzel (played by MacKenzie Mauzy), whom happens to be the Wich's adopted daughter.

Though I'm unfamilar with the Broadway Musical of the same name, I did see the the film at my local theater a few months ago. I was aware that it was musical, but I didn't know it was a musical all the way through it! Warning: If you're wanting to see this movie for Johnny Depp, well, you'll be disapointed as he has about a five-minute part. While the acting and the music is great, the plot is completely off the wall and somewhat confusing at times. The running time is just over two hours, but it feels like three hours. Overall, Into The Woods has its entertaining moments and a few catchy tunes, but the film is slightly too dark for kids and a little too boring for adults.