The whimsical and popular classic written by Lewis Carroll has been an imaginative success for both children and adults. The recently released film, Alice in Wonderland, brings the story to new heights.
We find ourselves back in Wonderland with an older but still impressionable Alice, played by newcomer Mia Wasikowska, who once again traipses after that white rabbit in a waistcoat.
The plot lingers in the beginning, leaving the viewer somewhat dazed and wondering, “Where is this going?”
Once the white rabbit appears, it begins to pick up, and we see Alice go back to Wonderland. Only this time there are some changes.
This time around, the filmmakers have ditched plain old animation or claymation for CG special effects and flesh and blood actors.
Starring a bountiful cast including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Crispin Glover, Burton finds a way to recreate old characters and bring new ones to light.
Of course, all the beloved characters are present; the caterpillar, the Cheshire cat and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, all of whom are lent the voices of masterful actors such as Alan Rickman and Stephen Fry.
The characters may have received a mass makeover from the 1951 animated classic, but they nonetheless are represented with talent and appeal.
The red queen, for instance, played by the chameleon-like Helena Bonham Carter, is so far-fetched from the previous film but is played so dutifully that it is easy to be swept up in her annoying airs.
The most talk, it seems, has been about the role of Depp, who is known for his offbeat performances and his many collaborations with Burton.
Surprisingly, Depp delivers the Mad Hatter in a refreshing new way, as a semi-schizophrenic Scotsman. But no matter, Depp reinforces his talent for oddity and you can’t help but adore the Hatter.
The movie is shown in a regular setting and also in 3-D. I think it supremely adds to the end of the Disney version and takes viewers into a darker world of Wonderland – something Burton is well known for.
Its box office results are soaring, and it may prove to be merely visually stimulating, but I received the movie well. My favorite childhood movie came back to life, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Be the first to comment on this article!