Nobody was quite sure about Into the Woods - a modern twist on several of the best-loved Brothers Grimm fairy tales. It has the big name stars - Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick - and a big-budget to match, but Into the Woods is a very intelligent musical adaptation that appears to have been worth the wait.

Into the WoodsMeryl Streep plays the witch in Into the Woods

Early attempt to adapt Stephen Sondheim musical occurred in the early 1990s with a reading held that included Robin Williams, Goldie Hawn, Cher, Danny DeVito, Steve Martin and Roseanne Barr. 

The modern twist stars Kendrick, Depp, Streep and Blunt alongside Lilla Crawford, Daniel Huttlestone, MacKenzie Mauzy and James Corden. 

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"The first two-thirds of the film, which are like the Brothers Grimm's Greatest Hits on laughing gas, have a fizzy, fairy-dust energy," said Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly.

"If so much as one tween viewer adds Sondheim to his or her iPod playlist alongside the likes of "Let it Go," all will have been worthwhile," wrote Scott Foundas of Variety.

Anna KendrickAnna Kendrick has a starring role in Into the Woods

"This twisty fairy-tale mash-up shows an appreciation for the virtues of old-fashioned storytelling, along with a welcome dash of subversive wit," said David Rooney of the Hollywood Reporter.

"The stage musical delightfully reminded audiences that while happy endings are possible, you should always be careful about what you've wished for. Now comes the movie version, and it's a singing and dancing manifestation of both of those ideas," said Alonso Duralde of The Wrap.

More: At early screening, Into the Woods generates Oscars buzz

For Walt Disney, Into The Woods is looking like an absolute bargain. Made for just $50 million - with the likes of Depp and Street in the cast - the movie could start turning a profit within the first couple of weeks.

Into the Woods is set for release on December 19, 2014.

Watch the trailer for Into The Woods: