Although Tim Burton’s version of “Alice in Wonderland” is thoroughly engaging, there’s no need to see it in 3D. “Avatar” has set the bar so high for 3D being an integral part of the setting, character development and narrative that anything less is disappointing, especially when the LA Times reported that Burton filmed his movie in 2D and then converted it to 3D. Besides the glasses are annoying. This “Alice” incorporates characters from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass,” but the script by Linda Wooverton is really a sequel. The 19-year-old Alice (a pallid Mia Wasikowska), who has forgotten her earlier adventures, falls down the rabbit hole after fleeing her unwanted engagement party. Apparently the denizens of ‘Underland,’ as they call it, need Alice to help them fight the tyranny of the bulbous-headed Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who frequently shouts ‘Off with his head’ and return the crown to the White Queen (a miscast Anne Hathaway), who simpers and postures to the point of being annoying. Johnny Depp’s nonsense-spouting Mad Hatter, decked out in a bright red wig, layers of makeup and weird yellow contact lenses, is an unlikely resistance leader.
Initially, Alice resists the idea that she use the Vorpal sword and play her predestined role of slaying the Red Queen’s dragon-like Jabberwocky. But after befriending the Hatter and getting to know many of the creatures, including the Cheshire Cat (voiced by Stephen Fry), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), Tweedledee/Tweedledum (Matt Lucas) and the Blue Caterpillar (Alan Rickman), she realizes that she can do anything. Wonderland clearly bears the signature of Burton’s weird sense of humor as do the costumes and make up. However, in a land where six impossible things happen before breakfast, Wonderland is not as wonderful as it could be. Nonetheless, Burton’s reimagining of a familiar story will enchant all but the youngest children. 3/5/10
1 comment:
Tim Burton's humor completely escapes me. I'm not sure if this film was supposed to be humorous but for me it was not funny at all. I know this movie garnered $116 million on the first weekend and I know many people liked it, but as for me, I thought it was pretty bad. I thought Alice looked completely washed out and sickly and Anne Hathaway looked like she was made of plastic. I don't know who told Anne that she looks good in that screaming red lipstick but she does not. For those of you who haven't seen "Alice", skip it!
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