'Into the Woods' Review: See It, But Maybe Don't Bring the Kids

Broadway musicals have had an uneven history on the big screen. Some, like the recent adaptation of "Les Miserables," shine. Otherwise, like "Mamma Mia!," don't.

"Into the Woods" falls somewhere in between: There are moments of brilliance here, as a stellar cast lends Stephen Sondheim's music and lyrics the gravitas they deserve, but an oppressive third act weighs down what was, for the most part, a fun musical romp.

For those unfamiliar with the stage play, "Into the Woods" merges a slew of fairy tales as the paths of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel all converge through the story of a baker and his wife. The couple (played here by Emily Blunt and new "Late Late Show" host James Corden) must collect artifacts from each fairy tale character in order to appease a witch (Meryl Streep) and be able to conceive a child.

Along the way, the familiar fairy tales are subverted and viewed through a new lens. It's in the first two acts, when the antics of each character play out in an almost carefree way, that this movie really shines. In the third act, however, the story takes a dark turn and lags in its pace as well.

This change in tone is part of the whole point of the play, though: We learn, as the characters do, that life isn't a fairy tale and that adulthood reveals a moral ambiguity to the world. In stories, this grey area is almost always simplified to black and white, but in "Into the Woods," it's tough to say who's a "bad guy" and who's a "good guy."

In a way, this is a bold and potentially important theme for Disney to tackle. Traditionally, the company has been the center of simplified storytelling for children, with good guys going up against bad guys and triumphing in the end.

However, the themes in "Into the Woods," and indeed the complexity of the story itself, might be too much for younger children to handle. It's tough to say whom exactly this movie was made for; fans of the Broadway musical will surely enjoy it, but other adults might find it too childish, while children might be bored by it, or worse, frightened by it.

Still, in a season of oppressive holiday movie releases featuring almost nothing resembling a lighthearted family film, "Into the Woods" is probably the best bet for an outing with friends or family. The humor of the play translates well to the screen, especially in the princely duet "Agony," and the visual effects can be stunning at times.

The cast is also strong from top to bottom. Anna Kendrick is charming and has proven herself time and again to be the go-to girl in Hollywood for musical features. Chris Pine is a surprising strong point, Emily Blunt shines, and the younger actors--Lilla Crawford as Red Riding Hood and "Les Miserables" alum Daniel Huttlestone as Jack--hold their own easily.

Meryl Streep is an absolute delight as the witch, but she's Meryl Streep so that more or less goes without saying.

Ultimately, "Into the Woods" is worth your while if you're looking for a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Just don't expect to walk out without a complaint or two about the final 15 minutes.