Monday, April 12, 2010

Alice in Wonderland (2010) Tim Burton


This is not a great movie, but the effects are lavish and memorable. It’s not the book as we remember it, but it’s not intended to be. The 3D effects are not up to Avatar’s standards - but what is?
It’s a delight for the eyes, and the dialogue provides some very clever and witty moments. Johnny Depp is delightfully mad as the Mad Hatter, Anne Hathaway floats ethereally in her own mad way as the White Queen, and Helena Bonham Carter reigns eternally mad with her bulbous head and wicked ways. She has her Knave, Crispin Glover, who with his smarmy ways, who gets his just deserts in the end. Tweedledee and Tweedledum are always funny (Matt Lucas), Alan Rickman is cool as Absolem, the smoking, blue caterpillar, and take note of the renown Christopher Lee as the voice of the Jabberwocky. The Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) appears at will at opportune times, including once on the face of the moon.
Mia Wasikowska is Alice and she plays true as a beautiful young girl being forced into a box not of her choosing, and stands her ground after taking a detour down the rabbit hole. She not only calls out the hypocrisy around her, but also finds her “muchness” and moves bravely into her future.

It’s not a masterpiece but it is an interesting film with amazing environments. Music plays a wonderful and effective role (score by Danny Elfman), and you just may find yourself ducking a flying teacup at the tea party. Bayard (Timothy Spall), Dormouse (Barbara Windsor), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), and the March Hare (Paul Whitehouse) provide much entertainment. Watch the movie without preconceived expectations and enjoy the visual feast that is Wonderland.
“You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”

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