Into The Woods (PG)

Musicals are a funny thing in Hollywood - it matters not that millions flock to see them on stage annually, when the film is made no one is told there will be singing.

Having seen people walk out of Sweeney Todd I can sort of understand the thinking, but if you're under the impression people don't like musicals why the hell make one?

Or, if you do make one, why not tell people.

Sure, in America people probably know Into The Woods was a massive Broadway hit in the 80s, but on this side of the pond? Not so much.

And the trailer quite clearly doesn't provide any clues.

Which is a shame, because if I'd known it was a musical with the actual cast singing I'd have gone into this in a more upbeat mood instead of having the 'well, nothing else is available' cloud hanging over me.

As it was, I came out of the cinema in a better mood than when I went in.

Sure, it's not groundbreaking, edgy cinema - but it was still a lot of fun.

Mashing up every fairytale you can think of, Meryl Streep leads the all-star cast as Witch - a traditional evil crone out for revenge n that.

Elsewhere, we have James Corden and Emily Blunt as The Baker and his wife, Johnny Depp as Wolf, Chris Pine as one of two princes, the ever-wonderful Christine Baranski as Stepmother and a young actress just starting out in the world playing Jack's mother - one Tracey Ullman.

Keep an eye out for her, she could be quite a comedic find.

The story is quite straight forward - the bakers have to find four items to lift a curse, which was brought on by the theft of some beans, while Jack has to sell a cow but ends up finding giants while Rapunzel hangs about in a tower.

Oh, and Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford) has to dally with Wolf while Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) trots off to the ball every night.

See? It all makes sense.

While the scenes play out exactly as you'd expect, Into The Woods at least feels more like a film than, say, Dreamgirls, which just felt like the stage show was lifted up and dropped onto a film set.

It's a lot darker than you'd expect from Disney - both tonally and in terms of lighting - but that actually makes the lighter moments shine more brightly.

But what makes this film is Stephen Sondheim.

Every song is part of the narrative, moving the story along at a jaunty pace with tunes that stick in your head.

There is dialogue, but don't go expecting lengthy speeches. In fact, the longest section of dialogue is about 15 minutes - and you do suddenly realise you haven't heard a song for a bit.

Having the actual cast sing the songs - mainly live, with only a smattering of lip syncing - is what tops the film off.

Kendrick, as we know, can sing (just go watch Pitch Perfect), but discovering Blunt and Streep can hold their own was quite a delight.

Could have lived without Corden wailing away, but hey - you can't have everything.

This is not a film that will change your life, or make you question deep philosophical quandaries - but what it will do is put a smile on your face.

At a time when the new year is looming ahead of you and the cinema is full of Oscar-worthy performances and Taken 3, this is a welcome release.

The perfect, feel-good, post-festive panto.