"There is a place unlike anywhere on earth. Some say in order to survive it you'll have to be mad as a hatter, lucky for me I'am." - Mad Hatter
Tim Burton gives us his take on the world of "Alice In Wonderland." Does Burton interruption hit the mark? Or will you be mad for seeing this movie?
Story - The story of Alice In Wonderland is not the one you are expecting. Alice in this version is a 19 year old girl who lives in a world, where she is expected to conform. When she attended a party which is suppose to be her engagement party, she starts to question her life and her surroundings. Bored and tired of the life she has, she follows a little white rabbit down the hole. This is where the story really begins. This movie can be viewed as more of a sequel to the original than an remake. Alice is older and doesn't remember anyone in Wonderland. The Red Queen has taken over and rules with an iron fist. There is also a beast named the Jabberwocky that keeps Wonderland in fear. Alice comes back and all of her friends want her to save them from the Jabberwocky. Alice keeps believing that Wonderland is nothing more than her dream and refuses to help, until the Mad Hatter is capture, and she actually gets hurt. There Alice travels to the Red Queen to steal a sword that will kill the Jabberwocky. Not to spoil it any further, but this story is very flawed. You know the outcome of the story immediately when Alice gets to Wonderland. Tweedle Dum and Dee show her a scroll which explains all the events of Wonderland. The scroll shows her slaying the Jabberwocky, so you already know that she is going to win. It's a Disney flick they are not going to let Alice die. There is really no emotional conflict, no real connection with the characters. The movie pacing is fast and pretty dull. However the story will be great for the kids to go and see.
Acting - This is where the movie really shines. Burton cast the right people for the right roles. Mia Wasikowska plays Alice wonderfully. She delivers a true reminisces of Alice from the cartoon. I really love Mia delivery when she said "Curiouser and Curiouser." Mia gives us an Alice that is lovable and troubled, but by the end you will see that Alice has found herself. Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, was so-so for me. We all know I'm a huge Depp fan, but his portray of the Mad Hatter reminded me of his Willy Wonka & Jack Sparrow roles. If you listen closely in some scenes you can hear Jack Sparrow's voice. It just didn't work for me in this film. I felt that a movie based on Alice In Wonderland, should focus on Alice more. The Hatter had the main core of the story and more characterization. Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen steals the show. She outshines Mia and Johnny in this movie. Helena excels and really brings the Red Queen to life, with her delivery. She nails the famous "Off with their heads." She plays the Queen with arrogance and elegance, in which the Red Queen should be seen. Other appearances were great such as Michael Sheen "White Rabbit", Matt Lucas "Tweedledee/Tweedledum" and Anne Hathaway as the "White Queen."
Visual & Directing - Wonderland is visually beautiful in 2D. In 3D there was really no need. It wasn't really something to have in 3D. There are some great scenes in visuals like the Cheshire Cat in 3D, but other then some scenes nothing really special. Tim Burton creates his own version of Wonderland, that only Burton can produce. Wonderland is wacky, weird and just a style Burton loves.
Final Grade - Alice In Wonderland is average at best. I would loved to see certain characters such as The Walrus and the Flower dance. However they didn't see the light of the day. The acting and visual is on the spot, but with a rushed, under developed story hurts Wonderland the most. Alice In Wonderland gets a C+.
