Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Alan Rickman
Written By: Linda Woolverton (screenplay), Lewis Carroll (book)
Directed By: Tim Burton
Grade: B+
Alice in Wonderland has been getting plenty of criticism. Some critics have claimed it’s all style and no substance. The content might have not brought upon any new revolutionary take on Alice in Wonderland, but it connected Wonderland to the real world, had enjoyable and zany characters, and was humorous and interesting throughout the film; always keeping your attention at the very least.
Alice (Wasikowska) is a 19 year-old girl living in 19th century England. She is expected to marry an unattractive prince who she doesn’t have any feelings towards. Alice’s father died years ago, her sister has already married, and everyone is telling her that her face isn’t going to last and she needs to get married before it is too late. As Alice runs away from this decision to run after a white rabbit pointing at a pocket watch, she falls in to a hole, leading her to Wonderland; the place of her childhood dreams. She enters a bright, obscure world with strange creatures she is sure can only exist in dreams. Her arrival is praised by many and her identity is questioned by others. There is a prophecy of a girl named Alice who will come and slay a vicious dragon known as the Jabberwocky. This will put the power in the hands of the good and pure, White Queen (Hathaway) and end the rule of the hateful and vicious Red Queen (Carter). The Mad Hatter (Depp) believes she is the one who will do this and free Wonderland once and for all, sacrificing himself in order for her to accept her fate.
The performances were incredible and really added to the colorful and cooky characters. I am not a fan of Johnny Depp at all. I think he is a vastly overrated actor. Depp’s portrayal of the Mad Hatter is his best performance to date, though. He completely embraces all of the quirks of Mad Hatter and portrays him with such amazing and unique energy, becoming the character in every sense. You can’t help but like him and he was actually my favorite character in the film. Mia Wasikowska did a great job as the timed yet strong-willed, Alice. She’s likable and shows great presence, making it fun to be along with her on her life-altering adventure.
Anne Hathaway gave another of the very captivating performances as the White Queen. Everything about her, down to her very odd yet amusing hand gestures and body language is so strange yet elegant and poised. This is a very different performance for Hathaway and she nails it, bringing out the pure and simple queen. Alan Richman’s voice was dark, wise, and foreboding as the blue caterpillar. Stephen Fry helped transform one of the wackiest characters, The Cheshire Cat, and comes off gleeful and even slightly demented.
Alice in Wonderland isn’t 100% faithful to the various original works of the story. Still, this story has been around for so long that I don’t feel any one is being cheated by not having all the same
details. The things that people will identify with and admire are still there. The characters are perhaps even more colorful. The March Hare is a very funny character; just how spastic and twitchy he is makes him almost seem insane. The Mad Hatter is as strong as he’s ever been, The White Queen just as quirky and elegant, and the Red Queen is as hateful and vicious. Alice isn’t just a lost girl in Wonderland. Before she even goes there, she rebels against society’s expectations for her and is eager to live a life that she can enjoy, being a relate-able and admirable heroine for anyone who couldn't get on board with the norm or dared to dream of something more.
Written By: Linda Woolverton (screenplay), Lewis Carroll (book)
Directed By: Tim Burton
Grade: B+
Alice in Wonderland has been getting plenty of criticism. Some critics have claimed it’s all style and no substance. The content might have not brought upon any new revolutionary take on Alice in Wonderland, but it connected Wonderland to the real world, had enjoyable and zany characters, and was humorous and interesting throughout the film; always keeping your attention at the very least.
Alice (Wasikowska) is a 19 year-old girl living in 19th century England. She is expected to marry an unattractive prince who she doesn’t have any feelings towards. Alice’s father died years ago, her sister has already married, and everyone is telling her that her face isn’t going to last and she needs to get married before it is too late. As Alice runs away from this decision to run after a white rabbit pointing at a pocket watch, she falls in to a hole, leading her to Wonderland; the place of her childhood dreams. She enters a bright, obscure world with strange creatures she is sure can only exist in dreams. Her arrival is praised by many and her identity is questioned by others. There is a prophecy of a girl named Alice who will come and slay a vicious dragon known as the Jabberwocky. This will put the power in the hands of the good and pure, White Queen (Hathaway) and end the rule of the hateful and vicious Red Queen (Carter). The Mad Hatter (Depp) believes she is the one who will do this and free Wonderland once and for all, sacrificing himself in order for her to accept her fate.
The performances were incredible and really added to the colorful and cooky characters. I am not a fan of Johnny Depp at all. I think he is a vastly overrated actor. Depp’s portrayal of the Mad Hatter is his best performance to date, though. He completely embraces all of the quirks of Mad Hatter and portrays him with such amazing and unique energy, becoming the character in every sense. You can’t help but like him and he was actually my favorite character in the film. Mia Wasikowska did a great job as the timed yet strong-willed, Alice. She’s likable and shows great presence, making it fun to be along with her on her life-altering adventure. Anne Hathaway gave another of the very captivating performances as the White Queen. Everything about her, down to her very odd yet amusing hand gestures and body language is so strange yet elegant and poised. This is a very different performance for Hathaway and she nails it, bringing out the pure and simple queen. Alan Richman’s voice was dark, wise, and foreboding as the blue caterpillar. Stephen Fry helped transform one of the wackiest characters, The Cheshire Cat, and comes off gleeful and even slightly demented.
Alice in Wonderland isn’t 100% faithful to the various original works of the story. Still, this story has been around for so long that I don’t feel any one is being cheated by not having all the same
details. The things that people will identify with and admire are still there. The characters are perhaps even more colorful. The March Hare is a very funny character; just how spastic and twitchy he is makes him almost seem insane. The Mad Hatter is as strong as he’s ever been, The White Queen just as quirky and elegant, and the Red Queen is as hateful and vicious. Alice isn’t just a lost girl in Wonderland. Before she even goes there, she rebels against society’s expectations for her and is eager to live a life that she can enjoy, being a relate-able and admirable heroine for anyone who couldn't get on board with the norm or dared to dream of something more. 
Great review. I loved this movie and thought this was a well written perspective of it.
Excellent review as always.
It was better than I expected given the other reviews, but I still prefer other Burton/Depp films to this one.