Monday, January 12, 2015

Thoughts on "Into the Woods"



(for those of you who have not seen Into the Woods yet - don't worry, this is spoiler free!)

Nice is different than good.
Charming does not mean sincere.
Wishes come true, not free.

After seeing the trailer for Into the Woods, I knew that this film would be just my cup of tea. It's a musical, it's Disney, it's retellings of fairy-tales, it's Chris Pine. What more could I ask for?

I was not disappointed.

I wish.
More than anything,
More than life,
I wish.

The music was gorgeous. Some songs are beautiful and chilling ("Stay With Me" and "Giants in the Sky"), some are just plain hilarious ("AGONY"), and some make me tear up ("No One is Alone"). Visually, the movie was stunning. Minimal CGI, for the win. It makes a big difference to use real locations instead of a green-screen room. The acting was great (not surprising with a cast like that!), and I also appreciated that the film was "Disney-fied"- much of the inappropriate content found in the original stage production was left out.


What surprised me, though, was that this movie turned out to be more than just a fun, fluffy movie. It was darker, deeper, and more thought-provoking than I expected.


You see, in my opinion, good stories make you think. They ask you hard questions and force you to ponder them even after the credits are finished rolling.

In this film, unlike in the age old tales we've heard a hundred times before, the characters get what they wish for, but it doesn't give them a happily ever after. Into the Woods presented a more accurate representation of what happens so often in the world we live in. Things aren't always what they seem. People make big, terrible mistakes. People get what they want but are left unsatisfied.


Princes wait there in the world, it's true.
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too.


As I said, the film poses some interesting questions, but it doesn't answer them - or at least, it didn't give answers that I agree with. As a Christian, though, I know that the answers can be found in the God's Word.

I appreciated that this film was more then just entertaining. I found it to be impactful and emotional as well as being completely enjoyable.

People make mistakes.
Father, Mothers.
Holding to their own,
Thinking they're alone.

You are not alone.

Usually after seeing a movie - even a great one - I'm not all that eager to see it again right away. But this time, I'm pining for the DVD. Waiting is..."AGONYYYY!" *rips shirt*


Did you go see Into the Woods? What did you think? If you haven't seen it yet...well, I think it's worth the six euro movie tickets.

23 comments:

  1. Great post! My mom and I went to see Into the Woods about a week and a half ago. I was going to write a review of it, but I couldn't exactly find the right words. It was what I was expecting, but it also wasn't. I loved the music and the cast and the twisting of fairy tales and the prettiness of it all. As you said, I also liked that it was darker and thought-provoking. (I can't seem to stop thinking about it!) Two little things bothered me, trying to be as spoiler free in this comment as possible: the creepiness of the Wolf with Red Riding Hood, and the unfaithfulness of a certain character and how that person didn't exactly get a chance at redemption. But at the same time, I'm also glad the movie was Disneyfied and cleaned up of other questionable content. And I guess those two issues fit in with the whole theme of good, evil, niceness, mistakes, etc. See what I mean about not being able to accurately express what I thought? :) Ha.

    Overall, I really loved it. I feel like I need to watch it a couple more times to truly wrap my head around it all. I'm so excited for the DVD and I kinda want to buy the soundtrack, too. :)

    P.S. Agony was hilarious...the whole theater was cracking up. I also loved the other random little bits of humor, like when Rapunzel's prince fell over.

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    1. I totally agree, I didn't appreciate those things either. Especially the Red Riding Hood thing, it was a bit disturbing! But I believe even that was tamed down for this movie...thank goodness :O

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kristin!

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  2. I haven't seen Into the Woods yet, but I can't wait to--I have a weakness for both fairy tales and musicals. Great review!

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    1. Thank you, Alex! I hope you like the movie! You'll have to let me know what you think.

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  3. I've heard so many mixed reports about this movie and I'm glad to hear you liked it!! Maybe I will watch it after all;) thanks for keeping your review fun and spoiler free. <3

    Chloe | www.curiousramblingsbychloe.blogspot.com

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    1. Aw, thanks Chloe! I hope you enjoy the movie if you decide to see it!

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  4. I've never even heard of this movie!! O.o But it looks really good, I'll have to snag a copy of the DVD when it comes out!!

    (I'm honestly so weirded out by the fact that I've never heard this movie mentioned. How'd that happen??)

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    1. *Gasp* Really? Go watch the trailer! Go now go! Haha, yeah you should totally see it when you have the chance :)

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  5. I haven't seen it yet, but from what I've heard it sounds really good!!

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  6. I must go see this now! It should come out in our discount theater any day, so I might take my sisters. (-;

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    1. Awesome! Let me know what you think if you see it :)

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  7. I can't believe I have to wait until this Saturday to watch the movie! I haven't seen it yet, but I have listened to the soundtrack. And just by listening to it you can tell it is much darker. They start to mention topics that are stuff kids shouldn't learn until they are ready for it (reminds me off that last song... I think its the last one, saying how children will listen). I know Disney toned down a lot of it from the original Broadway musical. I'd love it if my theater company I work with would do an adaptation of this; it would be amazing!!! The production and the overall premise of it. :)

    xoxo Morning

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    1. I hope you like it! And you're right, I wouldn't recommend this for young children for sure.

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  8. I haven't seen it yet but my best friend played cinderella in the stage production, so in stressful situations you can often find me belting out "AGONY!". I have always been intrigued by mixed up fairytales, and by the sounds of it this is one I'll need to add to my to-watch list. Great review!

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  9. AGONYYYY!

    Hmm. Sorry about that. Nice review, I agree with your comments, though I think you liked it overall better than I did. Not saying I didn't enjoy it a lot though, it just wasn't my cup of tea. ;) The soundtrack is so good though, I love all the songs you mentioned. :)

    xx

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    1. Thank you, SW!! Yeah, there are definitely a lot of mixed opinions out there about it, so it's interesting to hear what other people thought! Your review of it was great.

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  10. I am positively dying to see this film, even I know next to nothing about it except that it has fairy tales and music, it sounds just like my cup of tea! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

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    1. Awesome! I hope you like it as much as I did :)

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  11. I just want to see it for costumes and set. THOSE PICTURES THO. They are beautiful and the lighting and the outfits...*swoons*

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    1. ERMERGERSH yes it's fabulous. Thank for commenting, Cait!

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  12. Loved this film! Definitely one to snag on DVD. It was insightful and offered some unique perspectives. I liked what you say about good stories making us think. The "twist" in this one (everyone getting what they hoped for and ending up with something altogether different) was unique and in its own way, charming.

    'Agony' was hilarious and I listen to 'No One is Alone' all the time. So beautiful.

    Great thoughts, Hannah. :)

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