INTO THE WOODS (2014)

I knew I was in trouble with Into the Woods from the first few minutes, when Red Riding Hood was so annoying, I would have thrown her to the wolf myself.  A mash-up of fairy tales that finds the lives of characters from Red to Cinderella to Jack (as in The Beanstalk) and more forever changed within the mystical confines of the local woods, the storyline itself concerns an evil old witch (Meryl Streep, who seems to lose interest about halfway through the film) who sends the local baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) on a quest for four items she needs to break a spell - in return for which, she will also lift the spell that's kept the couple from having a child.  Music, adventure, and magic ensue, but none of it ever feels truly fun or engaging.  And just when it seems Happily Ever After's come, the last fifty minutes of the film shakes everything up, leading to a rather downer of an ending overall (at least for me).  Well-made as it is, and with a strong cast, I rarely if ever felt engaged with the characters, or even with what was going on, on-screen.  Disappointing. (rated PG)  C+

INTO THE WOODS trailer