Well, folks, if you caught my reservations about Disney's production of Into the Woods, you will doubtless remember how I doubted their ability to not fuck things up. I spent nine fifty on the ticket (and the concession prices-- these guys could pay off the national debt from popcorn sales alone)... and can say that I was pleasantly surprised.
I had doubts about the cast. Especially Chris Pine, who then, of course went on to steal the damn show. I cried from laughter. Seriously. Streep was awesome as the witch. No Bernadette Peters, mind you, but she won her first Oscar for a singing role, so there you go. Cinderella was not so shrill as her counterpart in my beloved Broadway show, and Red Riding Hood really did have a Wednesday Addams thing going, which fit the part like a glove. The Baker's Wife would have honestly been the dealbreaker for me, but while she was no Joanna Gleason, Emily Blunt did a good job. Steph said she was "passable," which coming from a show-snob like her, is high praise.
All in all, worth every penny, and a fine way to spend Christmas night. I don't know that it is a must to see it in cinema (though the special effects are really a treat), but it really is worth watching. Disney has surprised me.
