Extra Cinema: Into the Woods (PG)

Traditionally in fairytales, the bedraggled heroine wins her dashing prince, evil stepmothers get their comeuppance and abducted children escape the clutches of a witch by pushing the treacherous hag into her oven.

Nothing epitomises Happily Ever After like the heady aroma of roasting human flesh.

Into The Woods turns the pages on these archetypal characters, imagining what might happen as they come to terms with their actions.

Light comedy and heartrending tragedy skip hand-in-hand in James Lapine’s screenplay and Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics, which are ambrosia for director Rob Marshall.

Thankfully, Marshall tones down the swirling camerawork and snappy editing here, but with such a large cast to juggle, the script occasionally feels disjointed and some gear changes are jarring.

But Marshall doesn’t shy away from delivering bitter pills in the final act. Everything has a price, especially your heart’s desire, so be careful what you wish for.

Rating: 7.5/10