Anyone seen the new Into the Woods?

[Haruna]

I grew up watching the old 1991 version of Into the Woods, the one with Bernadette Peters as the witch, and I was just wondering -- what do you guys think of the new one? Is it good? If you've seen the old version, does it compare?

[LadyMoondancer]

Not yet, but I want to see it reeeally badly!  I love the 1991 one too!

[dashesndots]

Not yet, but I want to see it reeeally badly!  I love the 1991 one too!

^ Yeah that!  I can't wait, hopefully I'll be seeing it with a friend who also likes musicals in a few weeks (vs. dragging hubby to it, haha)

[Violet CLM]

I'm... not sure if I want to, because so many songs have been cut--including two written just for the movie!--and characters have been changed and the visuals look all wrong. I've directed Into the Woods (well, the junior version) and I listen to it a lot and I'm not sure if the Disney version won't be just too messed up to bear watching.

[Nappercasper]

Anything with johnny depp in it is a watch for me lol

[hathorcat]

I havent seen it yet but I am super excited to!

[Sprinklecupcake]

We wanted to go see it since Xmas day, but the movie theature has been PACKED so it must be a good movie!! I wanna see it sooooooo bad! Maybe wednesday!

[kaoskat]

I haven't yet but it looks neat.

[melodys_angel]

I was confused at first, and then I remembered there was a movie coming out.

Im not really sure what to think of it--the previews don't make a lot of sense to me.

[Moony]

I had advanced screening passes so I saw it the first week of December I didn't know it was play first haha! I enjoyed it. I'm not huge into musicals but I did like the song that the two princes sang haha!

[Marigold]

Count me as another afraid to go see it. I grew up watching the Bernadette Peters recording (she IS the witch, no one is as perfect as she) and I've been in the show twice now as two different parts, and I was the official photographer for another production of it.  I hate that disney had to take over what was previously an untouched by disney musical.  I hate that Rapunzel doesn't die.  That's what tips the Witch into realizing all she has lost and done.  I hate that the reprise of Agony is gone.  Those princes both should be shown as scoundrels.  I hate the Depp is in it.  Sorry, but I am so sick of him.  I'm afraid the singing might not be as beautiful, especially Rapunzel.  Every time you get these modern remakes into movies the voices they choose are not strong singers. Especially the sopranos who end up having fluffy wimpy airy voices (Joanna in the Sweeney Todd movie for example) instead of beautiful classic voices the music calls for (think of an Aurora like voice at least is needed). 

So, I'm afraid to watch. 

[Galactica]

I'm afraid to watch too. I WANT it to be great, and I love the musical- but the changes that I've read to the story line are troubling.

[Marigold]

I'm actually really glad to hear so many others sharing my fear.  If you read Disney forums or even have FB friends who do musicals, they ALL seem to be ecstatic about it, and are not aprehensive at all. 

[amazonarabian]

I was totally nervous to see it, as I loved the original and had heard of all the changes they did to it.  Wasn't sure I'd be open-minded enough to deal with them all!  Turns out, I'm more open-minded than some!

There were definitely changes, and exclusions of verses and entire songs that made me a little salty, but I had to keep in mind it is just another interpretation.  They can make 40 Cinderella movies, and people will still see them, but only because each has its own unique perspective and differences.  This version does not make that amazing, wonderful original disappear.

There is, sadly, only 1 song by the princes, but it is super-fantasticly done and makes me laugh thinking about it.  The other changes bothered me, but not enough to completely disregard the movie or dislike it.  I also had some Fans behind me that started out the movie experience trying to sing along (I assume to prove THEY already knew the songs  and were therefore better than everyone else in the theater who came to watch and listen to the movie, and not have karaoke night).  The Fans were super-vocal about how awful all the changes were once the credits rolled and it made me want to defend it from them.  "Little Red isn't a brunette!  She's SUPPOSED to be blonde!" "Oh ma gawd, I wouldn't have even come if I knew they were gunna *edit for language -kkat it all up.". Well, peachy, then you came stupidly unprepared.  They can't make the same exact thing, after all!

It has its differences, but in all, was worth seeing.  Especially for those princes.

[scarletjul]

Just saw it today. 

I love Into the Woods and grew up with the VHS (saw my first stage production when I was 11) but I was super excited for this version because I also love Disney.  And I liked this version a lot.  Just go in with an open mind. 

I did have some quibbles with it, particularly all the cuts - especially the big cuts (I won't spoil it.). But the sets are gorgeous, the acting is fine and the singing is lovely.  Emily Blunt is awesome.  Plus, they did add some stuff that I genuinely appreciated.  So, all in all, I really enjoyed it and I definitely recommend it.