---
title: "Into the Woods: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/into-the-woods/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/into-the-woods"
critics_score: 63
critics_reviews: 21
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Into the Woods (2014): what the critics said

Critics' score 63 from 21 reviews: 9 positive, 11 mixed, 1 negative.

The consensus on Into the Woods is mixed, leaning towards approval, with the cast drawing more consistent praise than the adaptation itself. Emily Blunt is the clearest point of agreement: critics repeatedly single out her command of comedy, singing and emotional shifts, while Meryl Streep’s Witch and Chris Pine’s comic performance also earn praise. Several reviews welcome the preservation of the musical’s intricate lyrics and its playful interweaving of familiar fairy tales.

Reservations centre on uneven pacing, softened darkness and a later change of tone that some find awkward or exhausting. There is disagreement about that darker stretch: Total Film welcomes its willingness to go beyond easy reassurance, while Slant Magazine finds the final act overlong and unravelling. The spread is fairly wide, from enthusiastic accounts of a captivating adaptation to Digital Spy’s judgement that it is muddled and short on magic, despite Streep’s efforts.

## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2014. 

Rooney finds the adaptation captivating, balancing theatricality with cinematic storytelling and dark wit. He especially praises Meryl Streep’s richly comic and emotionally powerful performance as the Witch.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/into-the-woods-758611/)

## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 December 2014. 

Sharkey finds the film delightful, praising how its clever tale and well-matched ensemble preserve the musical’s magic. She particularly singles out Emily Blunt’s performance for its effortless range and charisma.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-into-woods-review-20141225-column.html)

## Variety — Scott Foundas

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2014. 

Foundas finds the adaptation faithful and respectable, though not especially inspired. He praises the cast’s singing and especially Emily Blunt’s heartbreaking performance as the baker’s wife.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-into-the-woods-1201381097/)

## Film Comment

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no specific praise or complaint about the film.

[Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/issues/january-february-2015/?pdfviewer=issue&pdf-page=67)

## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2014. 

The review text is inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint is visible in the available page content.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/into-the-woods/5081211.article)

## Slant Magazine — R. Kurt Osenlund

Rating 2.5/4. 19 December 2014. 

Osenlund finds the film refreshingly bold but says it loses its way in an overlong, unraveling final act. He praises Meryl Streep’s singing and commanding performance, especially her climactic rendition of “Last Midnight.”

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/into-the-woods/)

## Radio Times — Alan Jones

Rating 3/5. 

Jones finds the adaptation somewhat softened from the darker, more poignant Broadway original but still a potent screen transfer. He praises Sondheim and Lapine’s magical musical, shaped into a new fable from familiar fairy-tale characters.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-amxb8h/into-the-woods/)

## Time Out — Cath Clarke

Rating 3/5. 5 January 2015. 

The review gives the film a three-star verdict. It singles out the A-listers’ showtunes and costumes, likening them to ‘Game of Thrones’ extras.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/into-the-woods)

## Total Film — Jamie Graham

Rating 3/5. 5 January 2015. 

Graham finds the film admirable but says it never quite reaches the emotional heights it seeks. He praises its preservation of Sondheim’s lyrical complexity and the sombre third act’s willingness to move beyond a happy ending.

[Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/into-the-woods-review/)

## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan

Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 10 February 2015. 

The critic considers the film worth seeing but finds it flawed overall. Emily Blunt’s performance stands out, while the tuneless songs and softened witch storyline draw criticism.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/into-the-woods-starring-meryl-streep-james-corden-johnny-depp-and-emily-blunt-film-review-9967059.html)

## Vulture — David Edelstein

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2014. 

Edelstein finds the film ingenious and enchanting for much of its runtime, but says its apocalyptic second act feels bewilderingly mean. He especially praises Emily Blunt for giving the unwieldy story its farcical heart.

[Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2014/12/movie-review-into-the-woods.html)

## Empire — Angie Errigo

Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 2 October 2013. 

Errigo finds the film uneven, with its clever, touching moments outweighed by stretches that feel tiring and poorly balanced. She particularly praises the performances and production design, highlighting Chris Pine’s comic duet as a standout.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/woods-review/)

## The Guardian — Catherine Shoard

Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2014. 

Shoard finds the film an unrewarding but not wholly disappointing, familiar adaptation that arrives too late to feel magical. She praises Emily Blunt’s funny, fresh performance and singles out Chris Pine’s comic turn as another highlight.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/17/into-the-woods-review-meryl-streep-rob-marshall-stephen-sondheim)

## Collider — Matt Goldberg

Rating B. 23 December 2014. 

Goldberg finds the film delightful and entertaining, though Marshall’s direction is less daring and energetic than the material deserves. He praises the cast, especially Anna Kendrick and Meryl Streep, while criticizing Johnny Depp’s miscasting and the underwhelming production design.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/into-the-woods-review/)

## Deadline — Pete Hammond

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 December 2014. 

Hammond finds the adaptation lively, fun, and family-friendly. He singles out the terrific cast’s fine performances and some welcome surprises as singers.

[Read the review](https://deadline.com/2014/12/into-the-woods-review-movie-rob-marshall-meryl-streep-stephen-sondheim-1201334137/)

## Eye for Film — Anne-Katrin Titze

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 30 December 2014. 

The review finds the film great fun and an engaging progression from wishing to change. It praises Emily Blunt’s performance and the musical’s thoughtful interweaving of classic fairy tales.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/into-the-woods-2014-film-review-by-anne-katrin-titze)

## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2015. 

Pape finds the film enchanting and unusually human, though its second half makes for an unfulfilling conclusion. He praises the witty, poetic lyrics and the playful cast, especially Meryl Streep and Chris Pine.

[Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/into-the-woods-review/)

## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2014. 

The critic finds the adaptation imperfect but ultimately satisfying. Blunt’s performance is singled out for its command of the songs, comedy, and despair.

[Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/into-the-woods-review-meryl-streep-johnny-depp-stephen-sondheim/)

## Den of Geek — Don Kaye

Rating 3.5/5. 20 December 2014. 

Kaye finds the film enjoyable overall but says its abrupt shift into darker material throws it off balance. He praises the cast’s performances and singing, especially Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/into-the-woods-review/)

## Consequence — Dominick Suzanne-Mayer

Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 25 December 2014. 

The critic finds the film entertaining and well performed, but ultimately diminished by its reluctance to embrace the musical’s darker spirit. Emily Blunt’s performance as the Baker’s Wife is singled out for particular praise.

[Read the review](https://consequence.net/2014/12/film-review-into-the-woods/)

## Digital Spy — Stella Papamichael

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2014. 

The review finds the adaptation muddled and lacking in magic, despite its talented cast. It praises Meryl Streep for enlivening scenes as the wicked witch.

[Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a617106/into-the-woods-review-how-does-the-meryl-streep-james-corden-johnny-depp-musical-fare/)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/into-the-woods.md