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The Family Reel Movie Reviews
Now Showing on The Family Reel with Christopher Echols
Alice in Wonderland
Director Tim Burton proves that he still has the whimsical touch as he crafts a new tale for Lewis Carroll’s classic characters while maintaining the atmosphere and characterizations that breed familiarity with audiences.
Again teaming with go-to-guy Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Burton’s take on Alice is a fresh look at the inhabitants of Wonderland, this time told through the eyes of a 19 year old Alice who is neither sure of her role in aristocratic society or her assuredness about having visited the land down the rabbit hole before. Taking cues from Carroll’s original work, Alice again finds herself chasing down a white rabbit in a waistcoat and tumbles into a place of bewilderment that is vaguely familiar while altogether foreign.
Upon arriving it is foretold that the Red Queen’s(Burton’s long time partner Helena Bonham Carter) despotic rule over what is now referred to as “Underland” can only come to a close as the White Queen’s(a punk rock Mary Poppin’s-infused Anne Hathaway) champion slays the dreaded Jabberwock dragon. Unsure of her role as savior to Underland or her true identity in Victorian, England, Alice begins a journey of self-discovery that will carve out a new destiny for her and those she encounters along the way.
For the most part, each and every actor brings their “A” game to the table. Standouts are Helena Bonham Carter’s Red Queen, with her bulbous head and quick temper, as well as Depp, who never seems to amaze with both his vocal variety and ease with which he seems to disappear into each character he inhabits. A small nitpick would be that Crispin Glover’s Knave of Hearts is overshadowed by the odd choice to add elongated CGI arms and legs to give him a lankier appearance. I couldn’t help but think that Glover would have been fine without the computer assistance and at times his look became more distracting than helpful.
This new tale, while taking elements from Carroll’s novels “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass”, is definitely at its heart a Burton film. There are darker elements than the 1951 animated Disney film, and the consequences of actions within this version of Wonderland definitely seem to have greater impact on the players. For younger viewers caution would be advised as there are some heavy thematic moments involving some of the Red Queen’s minions, however these spots are few and far between and rarely last more than a few minutes.
Disney was indeed wise in investing in another visit to Wonderland. It is at once familiar yet strikingly different enough to keep you on your toes. The imagery of the characters and set pieces is well crafted and the story is kept tight and focused without straying too far down more rabbit holes. An easy pun to throw around, but a wonder nonetheless to behold.
Grade: A
Posted on 05 Mar 2010 by Woodlands Family Magazine
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