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“A horror film’s job is to scare you, is to get your pulse going, is to make you scream and yell. It’s to make you be afraid. That’s its main purpose, and creeping you out. And that can be an enjoyable experience.” --- John Carpenter ::::::::::::: MY CRITERIA FOR DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSES THE HORROR GENRE AND BEYOND, SO I USE THE TERM "NIGHTMARE MOVIES". SPOILERS CAN OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Alice in Wonderland

February 26th 2010 04:39
Alice in Wonderland movie poster
Let’s get one thing straight! This is most definitely Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (2010), and shouldn’t be confused with Lewis Carroll’s novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or Through the Looking Glass, as Tim Burton – and just as importantly, his screenwriter, Linda Woolverston, have taken great liberties with the famous tales, transposing the central characters and particular incidents into a playground realm for Tim Burton to manipulate his own tall stories. As a stand alone movie Alice in Wonderland is only partly successful, and as an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s work it isn’t anywhere near as engaging as it should be. And therein lies the Rub.
Alice in Wonderland Mia Wasikowska
Mia Waskowska as Alice
I’ve always had a problem with Tim Burton’s movies, well most of them. The ones I’ve enjoyed the most have been Peewee’s Big Adventure (which worked a treat back in my more hedonistic uni days), Mars Attacks! (I love how darkly funny and menacing it is), Ed Wood (his most emotionally resonant), and Sweeney Todd (normally I can’t stand musicals). I was never really a fan of Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and I hated his take on Planet of the Apes. Batman Returns was okay (but that was probably because of Michelle Pfeiffer’s droll performance).
Alice in Wonderland Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter
I’ll admit I was excited when I first heard that Burton would be helming his own version of Alice in Wonderland, just as I was excited when I heard Guillermo del Toro was going to direct The Hobbit. They both had extraordinary imaginations and are capable of conjuring the most amazing imagery and fantastical realms. But very quickly into watching Alice in Wonderland, I realised the same problem I have with all those other movies of his, I was no waving with this one; it was failing to properly engage me, the storytelling, even the characters, despite how richly etched they are, were hollow, lacking soul. It’s like watching moving pictures, literally.
Alice in Wonderland Helena Bonham-Carter
Helena Bonham-Carter as The Red Queen
To be honest, Avatar is partly responsible for my reaction to Alice in Wonderland. James Cameron’s masterful 3D immersion experience, stunning production design and art direction make Alice in Wonderland’s phantasmogorical underland seem flat, safe, even twee, in comparison. The colours are vibrant, but the 3D experience was borderline pedestrian; there was nothing truly remarkable. It was a case of everything feeling strangely familiar, my expectations hit a plateau early on when Alan Rickman’s tiresomely morose voice, as the hookah-hooked blue caterpillar, hit my ears. I literally rolled my eyes.
Alice in Wonderland Crispin Glover
Crispin Glover as the Knave of Hearts
Crispin Glover, with stretched limbs as the Knave of Hearts, seemed stuck in some kind of peripheral universe. Anne Hathaway, as the White Queen, skimmed along the surface of things, while Stephen Fry, who voiced the Cheshire Cat, was one of the few genuinely curious, even spooky, characters, floating in and out of existence with that frightnight grin. Johnny Depp, as the Mad Hatter, and Helena Bonham-Carter, were very watchable, easily delivering the goods. Depp, with his disconcerting eyes (one pupil dilated, the other not) and sliding accent, gave the Hatter some serious chutzpah, while Bonham-Carter, with bulbous head on a tiny body, was easily the funniest character on screen, often stealing them.
Alice in Wonderland Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway as The White Queen
Alice in Wonderland Blue Caterpillar
Up-and-coming Australian actor Mia Wasikowska, plays a 17-year-old Alice, who returns underground, but cannot remember being there as a 7-year-old, although all the other creatures recognise her. She’s escaping her engagement to toffee-nosed Lord Ascot (Tim Pigott-Smith), and follows the White Rabbit down the hole. It is this scene and the one immediately after, where Alice finds a tiny door, is forced to Drink Me, shrink, then Eat Me, grow huge, collect the key, then Drink Me and enter the realm of Underland, or Wonderland, as Alice calls it, that are lifted straight from Lewis Carroll’s first book. The initial encounters with some of the other characters are similar to the novels, but the narrative veers off Carroll’s beaten track.
Alice in Wonderland Cheshire Cat
Alice in Wonderland Twiddledum and Twiddledee
Alice in Wonderland isn’t a failure, but it’s far from the expected brilliance many thought Burton would inject into this mythical and brilliant tale of identity, growing up, and the power of the imagination. The Jabberwock was a major disappointment. My favourite scene has to be Alice’s first (to be precise, her second) encounter with the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (the jittery March Hare was utterly, and hilariously, bonkers!). But I just want Burton to make an adult horror movie; I know he’s got it in him! Enough with the PG-rated fantasy affairs that dabble with darkness but never actually make the descent. My suggestion is if he’s not going to make something wholly original he should adapt an H.P. Lovecraft tale, embrace his inner cosmic horror, and aim for a hard R-rating … now there’s an idea!
Alice in Wonderland beastie


Here's the trailer:


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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews
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9 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Jason King

February 26th 2010 21:09


Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness

I haven't even seen it yet but my opinion has already bordered on your thoughts - I even think it will tank after two weeks, in prediction, from the trailers alone. It holds none of the pre-excitement for me that Avatar did.

I do love Burton's work though.

Comment by Cinema is Truth

February 27th 2010 01:47


Cinema is Truth
Cinema is Truth
I'm so mixed on this one. I'm a HUGE Burton fan but I just can't stand what I've seen of the CGI. It just all looks so fake. I will certainly see it but I'm going in cautious. Then again, I was very again Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as I loved the Gene Wilder version and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it.. so, we shall see. Great review!

Comment by Bryn

February 27th 2010 04:35


Horrorphile
Hi Sarah, so what are your fave Burton movies then?

Comment by Ignacio

March 6th 2010 01:31
I'm kind of waiting to see this one.

Comment by D. Jones

March 19th 2010 08:56


Celebrity Fox
The Daily Nick
Movie Famous
Just A Geek
I am very impressed that you have placed "Alice in Wonderland, " (which is considered a "for children only" movie) on a site with "Horror" as it's theme. But oddly enough, a movie from Tim Burton would certainly qualify!

Comment by Anonymous

March 20th 2010 18:52
A TRUE Tim Burton fan would NEVER doubt or question his movies, whether you've seen it or not...... so far, it's still #1 in theaters!

Comment by Cinema is Truth

March 24th 2010 22:58


Cinema is Truth
Cinema is Truth
Bryn -My favorite is by far Ed Wood -- love Nightmare, naturally. Adore Beetlejuice, Pee Wee is a comedic classic, Edward Scissorhands of course is great. Adore both Batman's he did, particularly Batman Returns. Enjoyed Charlie, loved Corpse Bride. Sweeney Todd was brilliant. Big Fish was different and that's what made it great. But yeah, Ed Wood by far is his masterwork. Still haven't seen Alice.

In response to the other comment below-- you can love a person's work and still be critical of it. In fact, when you do love someone's work so much you are probably more critical than those who are not as invested. There's no rule which says you must love everything, even if they are one of your favorite directors

Comment by Bryn

April 6th 2010 00:06


Horrorphile
Cheers Sarah and also the nod from D. Jones

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