Rating: 
Summary: I hate musicals, but not this one.
Review: Musicals bore me. Rarely is the music interesting, the plots are generally silly and I'm not in to costumes. I expected to hate this one, especially since I've read Grimms' Fairy Tales. I wore out the first tape of "Into the Woods" that I had. I drop quotes from it into conversations as if they were Star Trek or Monty Python lines. I force my friends to watch it (ok, after 10 min. or so, they are hooked, too). This is not a saccharine version of Grimms' tales. When the prince comes around looking for Cinderella, the step-mother cuts off the toes of one of the step-sisters to make the shoe fit, just like in the original. Gross, yes, but it actually ends up being pretty funny. I've seen action adventure movies with lower body counts. The cast feeds the narrator to the giant. The wolf costume has genetalia. Yet it all manages to be hysterical, with just the right tone. This is a musical with meat. It has serious points, but it doesn't crudely whap you over the head with them. There are modern culture references, from the witch's rap about her garden to the Freudian stalking of Little Red Riding Hood. But the lines...oh, the lines! From Prince Charming's "I was raised to be charming, not sincere" to "Rapunzel, Rapunzel...what kind of name is Rapunzel?" to Little Red Riding Hood's "You talk to birds?" (sneered to Cinderella), the dialogue snaps along, delivered with impeccable timing by the cast. The songs are equally good. Who could resist the duet by Prince Charming and his brother entitled "Agony", about which one of them is in more pain, chasing women they can't catch. This is one of 6 movies I own, and the only one I've bought more than once. I watch it 4 or more times a year. And, I hate musicals.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Show
Review: Into The Woods was a wonderful play! I am 13 years old and recently watched it in chorus class. The music is excellent and it is hilarious to watch. Any age would enjoy Into The Woods. My chorus class is now going to New York for a field trip to see Into The Woods live!
Rating:
Summary: A First-rate production
Review: I have enjoyed this video an innumerable amount of times. This is just a top-notch quality production. The highest definition of Broadway quality is displayed here with first-rate performances. I think the most enjoyable performances are created by Joanna Gleason (Baker's wife) and Bernadette Peters (Witch). Gleason's comidic skills are just incredible. She has perfect timing and makes incredible use of simple glances and gestures. One underbreathed remark or honestly portrayed gesture and the audience is rolling in the isles. What's even more hysterical is how she used Lapine's own language and says it in a modern nonchalant way -- that can be even more funny. As the witch, Peters sure surprised me. Her voice is in full form. Her acting is strong and honest. Her performing skills just astounded me. She has practically taken ownership of this role. Other note-worthy performances were Kim Crosby (Cinderella), who had excellent singing skills; Chuck Wagner (Repunzel's Prince), with wonderful acting ability; Merle Louise (Grandmother/Cinderella's Mother/Giant), a veteran actress who was a shining example to the cast; Danielle Ferland (Little Red Ridinghood), in the role she was born to play; Pamela Winslow (Rapunzel); Lauren Mitchell (Lucinda); and Kay McClelland (Florinda). There were so many other wonderful aspects of this production, and if I wanted to really give credit to the entire production, I believe credit is due to the director -- James Lapine. He kept the pace moving quickly and has clearly given everyone clear acting actions and comidic direction. Since this is his book, he of course has the most insight into everything that the lyrics and text has to offer, and he shared that with his actors immensely. I just loved this. The audience in the theater loved it. A true first-rate production.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: i just love this Broadway musical of "Into the Woods," on video. Bernedette Peters, is great, and her voice, so very wonderful,. The costumes and scenery is so great and justl like the fairytales, that inspired them The effects are really good too. Also the carriage that moves, and the horse, are some neat things to look for as well. Kimm Crosby, is great as Cinderella, and she and Joanna Gleason, the Baker's wife, particulary impressed me, she's sweet and at the same time great at comedy. I think the costumes are colorful and first rate, and it's a shoe, a fairytale for the whole family to enjoy!
You'll want to see it many many times and it's well worth the price. It's firt class entertainment and Broadway at it's best.
Rating:
Summary: Oh My Goodness!
Review: This is the GREATEST PRODUCTION! I learned that those who completely dispise Broadway Musicals absolutely love this show! Bernadette Peters puts on an extraordinary performance, along with Chip Zien and Joanna Gleason! The Baker's wife rocks my world! The music just... blows me away! It is DEFINITELY worth your cash. Enjoy! :)
Rating: 
Summary: I wish....
Review: Ah, the power of the fable. It can entertain us... but it can also draw us in, and teach us a little of the dark side that human nature has, especially in desires. Who better to showcase this then James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's offering, Into the Woods? I am not usually a musical person; however, I found myself playing this over and over. The songs are wonderful, both in their beauty and in their wit. Sondheim brought out each character's depth, showing perhaps not only their quirks, but also yearnings that the viewer can identify with. Lapine digs deep in the writing; bringing back the older, darker aspects of the beloved fairy tales, and tying all the separate storylines with the inclusion of the Baker and his wife, who wish "more then anything" for a child of their own. They must go on their quest to fufill the witch's (played by the ever incredible Bernadette Peters in this Broadway taping) seemingly odd shopping list. The technical aspects will make you want to watch over and over: From the costuming, to the set design, to the lighting. Very imaginative and well done. The second part did drag a bit for me... but the "after happily ever" was meant to be dark; after all, it helped illuminate that sometimes we may not want all that comes with our wishes. The ending was very tidy, and overall, it is an enjoyable play. I highly recommend it, and it can also be fun for the children (perhaps 5 and up).
Rating:
Summary: Very wonderful to watch!
Review: For any one who enjoys the cast recording of the original broadway cast of, "Into the Woods," wouls really enjoy this. It's enjoyable to watch the songs are really pretty. It's well worth seeinfg for any fans of musicals.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Fairy Tales tod the best way
Review: I love it.One of my favorite musicals of all time.Mr(s)?Peter's is wonderful as the Witch and I love Chip in it as the backer.This is great for those who want a light but sometimes tricky musical to laugh all the way through.
Rating:
Summary: A fairy tale that would make you laugh and cry
Review: Sondheim does it again in this fabulous stage-adaptation of the twisted stories of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, the Baker and his wife, and Jack and the Beanstalk. The story gives the viewer a good laugh in Act 1 and a tear in Act 2. The story ends with a heartwarming lesson for everyone touched by the story. A wholesome musical the entire family would surely enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Greatest Musical EVER!!
Review: If you have seen Into the Woods live, or if you just want to see a good musical at home, BUY THIS MOVIE!
Stephen Soundheim is amazing, and Bernadette Peters is wonderful. You will love the way this twisted bunch of fairy tales will catch your heart! The music, acting, and stagework will enchant any theater goer in thier own livingroom!
If you want to show your children the wonders of broadway, what better way then to do it with stories they are familier with. The Into the Woods cast boasts, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack of the Beanstalk, and some really enchanting Prince Charming's! And there a myriad of other amusing characters. Although my personal favorite is the witch played by Bernadette Peters!
All in all if you don't see this movie, it will be your loss!!
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