Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" (2010) Movie Review

Added: Mar 4, 2010

From: mdelar

Duration: 2:35

http://www.mannythemovieguy.comWhen I was a little kid, I could never fully enjoy the animated Disney movie Alice in Wonderland for I thought the theme and the characters were too mature for me. Now that Im a grownup, director Tim Burtons version, inspired by Lewis Carrolls classic, did not completely satisfy me either. I find the new 3-D event catering to its young audience.Burton has never been a solid storyteller in my book, but hes a visionary and a great actors director. Thats probably why Alice in Wonderland is Johnny Depps seventh collaboration with him. Burton knows how to get his actors to emote.Indeed, the cast provides the spectacle starting with Depp as the Mad Hatter. He slips right into the quirky role with so much ease. The Mad Hatter is a tragic figure, yet Depps performance gives the character a wounded yet lofty air. Watch for the actor dancing near the end. A decision I scoffed at but the audience loved it with glee. In many Burton films, the characters, even the good ones, are slightly off. So Anne Hathaways White Queen is a little off-center and thats a good thing. The actress relished channeling Glinda the Good Witch, from her softly spoken voice to the fluttering of her hands. Helena Bonham Carter, Burtons partner and muse, is the scene stealer of the film. Shes the Red Queen, the reigning ruler of Underland and Alices nemesis. Carter gave a cartoonish performance that fits the character. Burton and company even gave her an identifiable motivation for her evil ways.Scriptwriter Linda Woolverton adapted Carrolls series of books including the sequel to Alices Adventures in Wonderland (1865) called Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There (1872). The film also pays homage to the 1951 Disney animated film Alice in Wonderland. Its been 13 years since Alice (relative newcomer Mia Wasikowska is picture-perfect for the role) fell down the rabbit hole. Now, the 19-year-old is once again summoned by the White Rabbit (voiced by Michael Sheen). Fiercely against stodgy Victorian rules, Alice ditches her engagement party to follow the White Rabbit.Alice does not remember her past adventure in what she used to call Wonderland. Since she was 6 years of age, shes been haunted by dreams of talking animals, blue caterpillars, and growing really, really big.Now, shes bound to reunite with her childhood friends such as Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Matt Lucas), the Dormouse (Barbara Windsor), the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry), and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice must find her true destiny and end the Red Queens reign of terror.Among the voice actors, my favorite is Rickman as the all-knowing Absolem the Caterpillar. Hes the absolute guardian of the Oraculum, a compendium of Underlands past, present, and future. Rickman gives his character so much heart, that you will slightly tear up when he reminds Alice of her childhood adventures. The films cinematography and visual effects are okay, but since Alice in Wonderland is the first 3-D film of the year, its look will be unfairly compared to the mega-blockbuster Avatar. But James Cameron shot his film in 3-D, Burton did not, which makes me question why even market it as 3-D?You know the answer, its all about economics, and thats probably why the edgy Burton, watered down his treatment of the film. What could have been an enchanting film full of dark characters became a serviceable Disney movie made for the little ones. But Alice in Wonderland has many commendable qualities such as its strong girl power message. This time, Alice moves past the looking glass to become the films warrior. I just wished Burton was as mad as his Hatter.RATING:Alice in Wonderland gets 3 Underland kisses

Channel: Entertainment

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