Alice in Wonderland Review

Yesterday I went with my family to see the new Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland in 3D. It was an interesting film and an enjoyable experience overall. Here are a few things I thought were particularly noteworthy.

The casting- In stereotypical Burton fashion, the cast had favorites like Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman. But like I said in a previous post, it's okay to use the same people over and over when they're as fabulous as his choice actors are. The only person I took issue with was Anne Hathaway- her performance as the White Queen was great, but she barely put her hands down the whole film, she kept them up in what I can only describe as a "floating princess way".

The make-up/costuming- Creepy, but good. The bright colors reminded me more of Burton's Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, but there were also dark parts that were more reminiscent of Burton's Sweeney Todd. Johnny Depp is hidden under pounds of make-up as always, and the Mad Hatter may be his strangest look yet. Anne Hathaway is a visual contradiction with almost entirely white make-up and very dark lipstick and eyebrows.

The storyline- Here is where I run into some issues and where the SPOILERS start. When Alice reaches "Underland" (not Wonderland) it is explained that on the Frabjous Day it has been fortold that she will slay the Jabberwocky and restore the White Queen to her throne over her sister, the evil Red Queen. And that's exactly what she does. There weren't really any surpises. Maybe I was expecting too much out of a kids movie, but I was a bit under-whelmed.

Overall I'd give it 3/5 stars. A solid film, but probably not one I'll buy.