For over a year now audiences have been anxiously anticipating the release of Tim Burton's mystifying adventure remake Alice in Wonderland. The buzz, the hysteria"”everyone is looking forward to this movie. But no matter what the white rabbit in a waistcoat says, this is one party that you can be late to.
Now don't get me wrong, Alice in Wonderland is not a bad movie. Filled with stellar special effects and an impeccable performance by both Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, the film is a must-see for persons of all ages. However, with the hype comes expectations, and if I am being frank, Alice didn't live up to them.
But that isn't to say that there aren't any good qualities. As previously mentioned, both Depp and Bonham Carter did a fantastic job as the Mad Hatter and Red Queen, respectively. Depp's delivery mixed with the Red Queen's witty one-liners help keep the film moving, even during its most mundane sequences.
Additionally, Burton's directing style and use of special effects help give the literary work a valiant big-screen remake. The film is visually stunning; the landscapes are ripe and the sets flourish with creativity and imagination. You can't help but fall in love with Wonderland, its creatures and its belief of the impossible.
But an opposite force, coming from the other direction, keeps the film from being what I had originally envisioned. For starters, there are two ridiculously slow scenes, one dealing with the Mad Hatter and his tea party, and the other coming at the film's opening, prior to Alice's faithful fall down the rabbit hole.
The tea party one I can handle, mainly due to the introduction of Depp's Mad Hatter; however, the opening is simply a bore. I understand an opening scene is necessary, and that there has to be a reason for Wonderland, but it took away from the adventure, the excitement, the mystery. The ending was not quite as longwinded, thankfully, but a sour beginning leaves little to be desired, especially when a magical kingdom at the bottom of a rabbit hole awaits your timely arrival.
There also seemed to be moments of influence sputtered throughout the feature. At times I felt as if I was watching a scene from The Never Ending Story and at others, remnants of The Chronicles of Narnia came to mind. I am not saying that the film is anything like either of these two; it just seemed as if the visuals weren't entirely from the creative mind of those involved, which, for a fantasy film such as this, proved to be a bit disappointing. (Not to mention that the fantasy world of Wonderland has been replaced by the drab and vampire-esc "˜Underland.' Not smart Burton.)
Nevertheless, I strongly urge you all to experience Alice and Wonderland for yourself. It is an entertaining movie; it just suffers from the dagger known as over-hype. If you are seeing it and expecting nothing more than an entertaining movie, you are in for a treat. If it's a life-changing experience you are after, then it might be best to look elsewhere. The 3-D animation adds much to the film's already beautiful visuals, and seeing the film in any other capacity will likely diminish its appeal.
