INTO THE WOODS | FAMILY MOVIE REVIEW INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND KIDS

"INTO THE WOODS"
(2014) (Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep) (PG)

QUICK TAKE:: Musical: Various fairly tale characters venture into some dark and mysterious woods in hopes of having their various wishes answered.

PLOT:

In a village at the edge of the woods of a royal kingdom, the Baker (JAMES CORDEN) and his wife (EMILY BLUNT) long to have a child, but have been unable to make that a reality. They eventually learn that's due to a Witch (MERYL STREEP) putting a curse on the Baker's father -- for raiding her garden in the past -- and that's now passed down to the Baker as well. To have that lifted, the Witch tells the couple they must travel into the woods to find four things -- a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold -- and bring them to her.

After selling some bread to Red Riding Hood (LILLA CRAWFORD) who's on her way to her grandmother's house, unaware that a hungry Wolf (JOHNNY DEPP) has his sights set on her, the couple proceeds into the woods where they run into various fairy tale characters. There's Cinderella (ANNA KENDRICK) who dreams of meeting the Prince (CHRIS PINE), but must contend with being kept in her place by her mean Stepmother (CHRISTINE BARANSKI) and two stepsisters, Florinda (TAMMY BLANCHARD) and Lucinda (LUCY PUNCH).

Jack (DANIEL HUTTLESTONE) loves his milk cow, but since she can't produce any product, his mother (TRACY ULMAN) tells him he must sell her for food money, not thinking he might take some magic beans instead. And then there's Rapunzel (MACKENZIE MAUZY) who's been squirreled away in a tower by The Witch, unaware that she's actually the Baker's secret sister.

As the Baker and his Wife continue their quest, The Prince sets out to find Cinderella with his fellow prince friend (BILLY MAGNUSSEN) who takes a liking to Rapunzel; the Wolf gets his comeuppance; and Jack and then eventually everyone else must contend with his beanstalk trip resulting in the appearance of an angry Giant (FRANCES DE LA TOUR), all as everyone comes to realize that they should have been careful with what they wished for, as the repercussions can be dangerous.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: The fairy tale aspect will certainly entice some, as might the cast, while those who are fans of the stage musical will probably want to see it.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG: For thematic elements, fantasy action and peril, and some suggestive material.

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