All images courtesy of Walt Disney Media.
Disney’s Into the Woods | 10 Reasons to See Christmas Day #IntoTheWoodsEvent
Just a few short days ago I sat in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, the official “Academy” theater, in Beverly Hills waiting anxiously to screen Disney’s Into the Woods. While that is an honor in itself, I was also seated just a few short rows away from the cast and filmmakers. Yes, that includes the amazing Meryl Streep! As I sat there watching Into the Woods, with a huge smile across my face, I couldn’t help but keep thinking about my son and how much he would absolutely love it!
Into the Woods is about a witch (Meryl Streep) that tasks a childless baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) with finding magical items from the woods. The magical items are from known classic fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Jack in the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Cinderella. The baker and his wife are sent to find them to reverse the curse put on their family tree. The beginning of the movie quickly sets the tone for a fun musical filled with magic and mystery.
Here’s my top 10 reasons why you should take your family to see Into the Woods on Christmas Day.
1. Meryl Streep… Academy Award winning Meryl Streep. I honestly don’t need to give any reason why that’s my number one. She is absolutely amazing. When you read my Meryl Streep interview tomorrow you’ll find out exactly why I think she is so amazing!
2. It’s a Musical! A musical is the perfect reason to take the whole family to see Into the Woods on Christmas Day. It’s perfect for kids. I think the music keeps it exciting and fun for the little ones. My son loves any reason for a good song and dance so I know he will love it. It also gives a lot of great hidden messages that are important for kids to learn.
Anna Kendrick plays the perfect Cinderella! Watch her sing “On The Steps Of The Palace” below!
4. Modern Take on Grimm Fairy Tales. Into the Woods is a modern take on grimm fairy tales, The Brothers Grimm fairy tales. I love learning about the grimm fairy tales and how different they are than what we actually let our children believe. Into the Woods shows us that what you wish for can actually come true. You should be careful what you wish for. Although it is about grimm fairy tales, I believe it’s fine for the whole family and children six or seven and older. I know my son would have been fine watching it at age six. Although this is a darker movie for Disney, I do not believe this is a scary movie… at all!
5. The Voices. I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing voices by the whole cast. Every song was magical and impeccable. One of my favorite scenes is when Cinderella’s Prince (Chris Pine) and Rapunzel’s Prince (Billy Magnussen) come together to sing. The crowd in the theater was clapping by the end of their performance.
I was completely blown away by Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood. Her voice is amazing! You will be pleasantly surprised by the voice of all cast members!
6. Cinderella’s stepmother and Stepsisters. Christine Baranski plays the perfect stepmother. The stepsisters Florinda (Tammy Blanchard) and Lucinda (Lucy Punch) play the perfect roles to what we all know about the Cinderella fairy tale. The outcome of these stepsisters is definitely one that will have you laughing in your seat.
7. Jack and the Beanstalk. Tracy Ullman plays the perfect peasant as Jack’s mother to recreate Jack and the Beanstalk. The two struggle to make ends meet and you’ll be chuckling as they drag Jack’s prized cow, Milky-White, around the countryside. Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) will definitely be an actor we will see in the near future!
8. Emily Blunt and Jack Corden. Who knew Emily Blunt had such an amazing voice? The baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) make the perfect duo as they struggle with the curse of their family tree. Be sure to check out my interview of these two on the 29th. They are hilarious!
9. Rob Marshall. After being able to interview Rob Marshall, the thing that stuck with me the most was how much he thought of the cast. It was really like they were a big family. He was admittedly blown away by the voices of the cast. He has directed five actors in Oscar nominated performances!
10. Anna Kendrick. We all know Anna Kendrick can sing but she makes an even more beautiful Cinderella. I love how she isn’t your typical Cinderella. Director Rob Marshall had so many amazing things to say about her but you’ll have to wait for my post when we interviewed the two of them together!
The movie was outstanding and received a standing ovation at the SRO screening at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. After screening the movie we had the opportunity to watch the cast and filmmakers in a live Q&A with director Rob Marshall and cast members Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski, and Tracey Ullman as well as costume designer Colleen Atwood, producers John DeLuca and Marc Platt, screenwriter James Lapine and cinematographer Dion Beebe.
Into the Woods is rated PG and opens in theaters on December 25th – Christmas Day! Be sure to like Into the Woods on Facebook and follow on Twitter @intothewoods.
Watch the trailer below:
All images courtesy of Walt Disney Media.
Holly Thomas says
Yes we are going on Christmas Day.
Laurie Allen says
Very excited, but waiting for the weekend.
TrishFr says
Oh, I want to see this but I don’t think I will be going on Christmas day, I will be too tired. But, I love movies like this and will try to make time sometime soon. How lucky you are to have been able to conduct the interviews you did. Thanks for the review.
cocchino says
haven’t seen it
steve weber says
I would love to see this! Meryl Streep is one of my favorites.. looks great.
Ellen Corey-watkins says
Looks like a really great movie. I will definitely be watching this with my son!
Meg Arthur says
I’m going just for Chris Pine 🙂
Carolyn Cheek- Massey says
Love to see this movie, Chris Pine is good in whatever he does. Seen previews and like Meryl Streep.
Mary Dailey says
I definitely want to see this movie! It’s exactly what I like!
ghassan says
I would like to see this movie
K22itty says
I might like to see the movie I think it will be better then the movie the Interview
Marnie G (Derrick Todd) says
This movie looks GREAT! I hope to see it this weekend.
cocchino says
haven’t seen it
Tara says
Have not yet seen it, hopefully soon
Kamilah says
I have not seen this yet. It looks to be something my children may like!
maximary says
Wondering if my 2 grand with autism would enjoy this movie.
cocchino says
haven”t seen it
Linda B says
I would love to go see this but I am probably going to have to wait for it to come out on Blu-ray.
hannahO95 says
This movie seems fun and I love Anna Kendrick so I may just have to go see it 🙂
gabby says
It looks awesome, will defi itely be seeing this with the family
Sandra Watts says
I am really looking forward to watching this movie.
Mary Beth Elderton says
This sounds like a lot of fun. Meryl Streep is outstanding.
Debbie Price-Beck says
Have Not seen it as yet…but looking forward to going next week with my Son and DIL
cocchino says
Sounds interesting.
terri morgan says
My husband was going to take me to see it today but I came home from work with a head cold so I am staying home instead.
Rhonda Stefani says
Love Meryl Streep, not too sure about seeing it if it’s more of a musical though. I’m sure my daughter would love it either way!
cocchino says
interesting
Laurie Nykaza says
We have not seen it but want to looks really great
MsDroppingTruth says
I’ll be going to see it b/c my daughters want to go
Ronald Ash says
Have not seen it yet.
goldi111 says
I saw Emily Blunt on Kelly & Michael and I’m really looking forward to seeing it! It looks fun!! I would love to take my twin granddaughters!
Bonny McDevitt says
U better bet I am gong to see this right away! <3
celesta davis says
I have not seen it yet, but am REALLY looking forward to it!
Deborah Tilley says
Haven’t seen it yet, but can’t wait
Sherri says
can’t wait to see, love meryl streeps voice and can’t wait to hear the others sing
Stephanie Griffith says
I haven’t seen it yet but can’t wait to watch it
Angela Collin says
planning on going to see this movie looks very interesting
Megan R says
You had me at Johnny Depp!
Sharon Siqueiros says
My friend from work and I plan on going next week!! I can’t wait! Thanks for your review, it makes me that much more excited to see it
mary czerczyk says
I plan on going to see it. I like any move with Meryl Streep in it.
Joanne A says
hopefully will get to see it soon.
Kiera V. Brown says
Any movie with Meryl in it, gets my vote.
Sierra Houston says
Meryl Streep is a talented lady!
Hope says
I love Meryl Streep and I will be going to see the movie:)
lynn c says
I’ve loved this musical for at least a couple of decades and am so excited there’s a new version to check out! If anyone can hope to play the witch as well as Bernadette Peters did on the stage, it has to be Meryl Streep. I may not make it to the show until it gets to the second-run theater near our house, but I bet I’ll see it at least twice and wear the DVD out. Such a great, great show!
cocchino says
looks very interesting
PrettyLittleLiar412 says
At first I didn’t think I would be very into this movie but the more I hear or read about it, the more i do want to see it! Plus I love Meryl Streep and Emily blunt!
lauriedamrose says
I can not wait to see it!
Sherry Martindale says
Now I am definitely convinced I want to see this. 🙂
Elizabeth Andersen says
Off to see the movie tomorrow.
Catherine Robichaud says
I have not seen this yet although it does look like a great movie with some wonderful actors and actresses. I will definitely see it at some point.
Limari Colon says
Can’t way to see it
Randa Joiner says
I am going to see the movie. I haven’t seen it yet but it looks like it’s going to be a really good movie. Meryl Streep is one of my favorite actresses.
Pamela Sue Fiore says
I have not seen this movie yet, all though I am told that it is a good movie.
Penni says
Can’t wait to see this movie!
Bookreeader says
This is definitely on my must-see list! I love the story, and the cast is amazing!
Wendy Mastin says
I will be going and taking my niece
Wendy S. says
I have not seen this movie yet, but do plan to sometime soon!
tjbugnet says
I would love to see this one! I will have to go without the hubby though – he hates movies where they spontaneously start to sing.
Megan McGown says
I really want to see this! I love Meryl Streep!
Kimberly B says
Haven’t seen it yet. I think I’ll wait for it to come out on DVD
Connie says
I have been wanting to see this movie ever since I saw the preview in the movie theater. Your review only makes me want to go that much more! My whole family will love this movie.
nikki robak says
Just having Johnny Depp in the movie is enough for me to go and see it I think my grandson is maybe a bit to young at 4 to go and see it
Carolyn Cheek- Massey says
Love Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep also so looking forward to seeing this movie. It won’t be boring and combines other fairy tales.
Jane Wohlers says
What a cast! Can’t wait to see it…
Kim Galbraith says
I think my kids are almost as excited about seeing this as I am! I will watch anything with Meryl Streep, much less Meryl Streep AND Johnny Depp! I grew up with my Mom reading fairytales from the Brothers Grimm, I really didn’t know there was any other kind of fairytale until I was a teen! So these are my most favorite fairytales. And I must say I am so happy to see Tracy Ullman in this blockbuster. She is one of the most hillarious women I have ever seen on television or the big screen!
laura rubenstein says
I’m getting over the flu. So when I’m better I’m taking my daughter to see this. I can’t wait 🙂
MintaBoggs says
I would love to see this has a lot of great cast in it. Plus who can resist Johnny Depp because no matter what he plays he will rock it!
Sandra Crispo says
Love this review, do not usually go out to theaters to see movies, friend gets them for me to watch, vut might just go see this one to get full effect!!
Vero Danao says
We will be seeing this weekend! My daughter played the step mom in her high school play so we are very excited about the film.
Miranda Diamond Stansbury says
I have thought about seeing it. Have not yet though. 😉
Bethany Ferrell says
I am going to go see it in theaters!
denise low says
We havent seen it yet. But we really hope to soon
margaretimecs says
Meryl Streep is amazing! It’s great movie!
Keri says
haven’t seen it yet, but it looks good
Kelly Gordon says
Have not seen this movie,but your review makes me want to run out tomorrow to see it 😀
lisalo says
Depp :o) We like musicals and will see it on dvd.
Lynda Cook says
I am totally going to love this movie, my girls and hubby not so much and only because it’s a musical, but it sure does have a lot of amazing actors!!
Gail says
I plan to see this with my “movie friend”. Love musicals and it has a great cast. Enjoy “Once Upon A Time” on tv and am looking forward to to the big screen twist on fairy tales.
Neha Kaul says
Into the Woods seems like a powerhouse of talent…will have to go see it after this smashing review of yours, Melanie!
jkebeans says
I really want to see this movie but will probably wait until it is released on itunes
Kathryn El Shamy says
Haven’t seen it yet but will soon.
Nichole says
Havent seen it yet… May go and see it when it comes out
Rita Spratlen says
I haven’t seen it yet. Love to see it one of these days though!
bonniesawinner says
This is not my kind of movie so I don’t plan on seeing it, although I agree that Meryl Streep is generally a good enough reason to see a movie.
Kristy Harbison says
We havent’ seen it and will probably wait until it’s on Directv Cinema
Diane C says
I’m wait for the DVD and then decide if I want to see it
Angela McKinney says
This looks like a great movie! We will probably wait until it is on DVD to see it though.
susan1215 says
I want to see this movie but will probably wait until it is released on DVD.
jacquelyncannon says
I am excited about going to see this movie!
Sue Hull says
I didn’t see it in the theater but as soon as it’s out on DVD I’m buying it. Meryl Streep is an amazing actress and one of my faves.
Cheryl Almas says
I don’t think I’ll go and see this movie, will wait until it’s on TV.
Laurie Murley says
i think this is going to be a great movie, cant wait to see it
Kimberly Flickinger says
I have not seen the movie yet, but plan to.
Jill Myrick says
I have not yet seen “Into The Woods” but am looking forward to seeing with my family soon.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Bee Weekley says
cant wait to see this!
Deanne Patterson says
I have not seen this yet but will definately go see it with my adult son. This looks great.
Rachel Beltz says
I’m sad that I didn’t see this until now! I love the plot, and we all know that anything with Meryl or Johnny has to be good!! (:
Rachel Beltz says
Oh! And I haven’t seen this yet, but I’m planning to go with my family!
Tracy H says
Havent seen it yet, but have every intention too do so within the next week!!
Pamela says
i haven’t seen the movie yet, but am going to. Looks great!
Huguette E. says
I’ll probably watch it just because Meryl Streep is in it.
Lori Goldstein says
As is our Christmas Day tradition (We’re Jewish and only celebrate Chanukah), my daughter and I once again went to the movies and this year Into the Woods was our choice. A bit darker than I expected but loved all the stars in it.
inkchick says
Several of my friends have seen it and loved it, so I will probably go and see it as well.
angel320 says
I will probably go to the movies to see it…the music is lovely
Amanda Alvarado says
We haven’t seen it yet. Since going and seeing Big Hero 6 and Annie over the Christmas break, we will probably have to wait until it’s out on DVD!
jai says
I have not seen it yet but it is on my list.
Louise Reeves says
No young kids anymore & not a movie buff, I didn’t even know what it
was about… however, I’m now going to do my best to see it! Sounds
wonderful!
Allison Anderson says
I would love to see this movie but there is a huge snow storm coming. 3 to 5 inches!
Lana Lo says
I haven’t seen it but it looks interesting
Mitzi Carpenter says
I’ve seen the previews. Awesome! I REALLY want to see this movie!
Christina Strapp says
This is one of the movies my husband and I have been wanting to see.
lilyk says
I will try to see the movie.
Katie Ellis says
I have not see this movie yet but want to go see it soon. It looks like a great movie!