2010 Movie: Alice in Wonderland Review

With his latest project in the film industry, director Tim Burton delved into children classic and pulled some of its most favorite characters into a new dimension.



Burton's talent for bringing extravagantly bizarre and wonderful creatures to life is clearly evident on this 2010 version of Alice in Wonderland where we meet new characters meshed together with some of old familiars.



The film takes on an independent story-line, as it is not a remake of the original story found in the book (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll, 1866). Rather, it introduced us to a 19-year old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) who has fallen victim to the pressures of impending adulthood and the expectations that come along with it. Before long, however Alice one again finds herself tumbling down the rabbit-hole and into the fantastic and bewildering world of Wonderland, which she had previously only remembered as a childhood dream.





Upon meeting the Hater (Johnny Depp) one again, Alice soon finds out that things having changed quite a bit since her last visit and that the characters of Wonderland are suffering under the rule of the ruthless usurper, the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who stole the crown from her sister, the White Queen (Anne Hathaway). With a littel help and encouragement from her friends, Alice sets out on an adventure journey to restore peace and justice to the magical underground world, also finding the courage to deal with her above-ground problems along the way.



Burton clainms that he wanted to create a solid story-line that would present audience members with something tangible to relate to, as opposed to having the film simply revolve around a character who wanders from one magical place to the next. This concept is clearly noticeable with the story building up to its eventual climax, as Alice become our strong female lead who undergoes the very human struggles of self-doubt and dealing with outside expectations. These in turn lead to personal growth and resolution.

Reference: http://celeb-news-fashion.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-movie-alice-in-wonderland-review.html

Alice in Wonderland Review

There are no spoilers in this review.

PLOT: 19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen's reign of terror.





THE GOOD: Concept. I didn't really follow the production of Alice in Wonderland very much. So, I didn't know that it wasn't going to be a retelling of the Wonderland story. This movie is more like a sequel. It's actually kind of clever how Tim Burton and Linda Woolverton decided to do this. In this way, they can show scenes that we're familiar with in a whole new light. I only wish they had written a deeper story.

Matt Lucas. Okay, I love Matt Lucas (if you've never watched Little Britain, you haven't lived). I think he was perfectly casted as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, but I don't think he had the opportunity to shine. Perhaps if he got some of Johnny Depp's screen time, he could have made more of a presence.



Anne Hathaway. I liked the way Anne Hathaway did the White Queen. The way her hands move and how she seems to be flowing while she walks. Clever.





THE BAD: Boring. What a yawner! I found the movie to be quite boring and not very memorable at all. I wasn't even impressed with the first time they showed us Wonderland. There were a few Willy Wonka Mad Hatter scenes that felt long and unnecessary. By the way, not Johnny Depp's best performance. He goes through eight different accents in the film, and while I think Hatter is supposed to be a little crazy, I don't think he's that crazy.

CGI. I know it's necessary, but it looked pretty bad. Aside from the Red Queen and the Tweedles, the CG in the movie is very apparent and almost lazy. The blue/green screen looked awful. Stayne's long body was a distraction. I saw the film in lieMAX 3D and it was the first time I've come out of the theatre not raving about the technology. A lot of people say the graphics make the movie worth it for them. I disagree completely on this film.



Message. Courage and standing up for yourself at the right time are the messages from this film and it's a bit too in-your-face obvious and simple. And, in fact, is quite a dull message. There's no emotion in the film. No heart.





THE END: In conclusion, I didn't really care for Alice in Wonderland. I might watch it one more time when it's playing on TV, but I think that'll be the extent of its re-watchability value. I mean, it's not complete garbage. We're just getting over the slow season for movies and this is better than most of the stuff that's come out in the last few months. For me, it's right on par with Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Nice to see a great story Butonized, but falls short in too many places. I would wait to rent this one or maybe even wait for it to play on ABC Family one hundred times.





DISCUSS: What did you think of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland? Did you expect it to be more of a sequel than a retelling? Who were your favorite characters? What would you like to see Tim Burton do next? Do you think he should Burtonize The Addams Family?

Reference: http://camknows.blogspot.com/2010/04/alice-in-wonderland-review.html

[7.50/10] Alice in Wonderland [3D] (2010)

Alice in Wonderland [3D] (2010)

With Tim Burton written all over this imagining of the world of "Alice in Wonderland" you know what you're in for, and the director doesn't fail to deliver the familiar atmosphere and traits that his fans or even casual movie goers have come to recognize. He succeeded to transform Alice's story into an epic visual experience. The best part of the movie is that the visual effects were mastered wonderfully. The stunning beauty of the environments along with the 3D effects threw you into the mesmerizing, vibrant and imaginative world of 'Wonderland'. There is, in fact, so much detail to the settings that one would have to see the film two or three times to appreciate everything presented. Apart from the setting, the cast is truly wonderful, too. Depp, alas, has less memorable lines and scenes but, that is not his fault. In any case, he definitely has his moments and works them to highest advantage. On the other hand, Bonham Carter makes the film, for her Red Queen is very comical and her appearance, with a huge, light bulb shaped head, is a scream. She was magnificent every time she appeared on the screen. Seems like Tim Burton's 'fetish' for his wife to appear in his movies succeeded this time on a big level. I didn't really liked Mia as Alice. Don't know why but I can't find her attractive enough to really enjoy her presence on the screen and her acting as Alice wasn't that great. Anne Hathaway was cute, yet quite forgettable as The White Queen. The plot isn't exactly complex and it's filled with random situations. Still, it was a very easy to follow story where you just need to relax and enjoy the amazing atmosphere and crazy situations. This is an entertaining movie that doesn't tries to be more than that. With a range of quirky characters and curious concepts to incorporate into his cinematic vision, Burton has created a surreal experience that is both brave and bold. "Alice in Wonderland" comfortably forgoes being a masterpiece to instead deliver softer and more accessible entertainment.

• My Rating: 7.50/10
  



• Rotten Tomatoes: 52% (5.7/10)
  



• IMDb: 6.9/10
  

Reference: http://cinemarvellous.blogspot.com/2010/04/75010-alice-in-wonderland-3d-2010.html

Film Review: Alice In Wonderland

I went to the cinema for the first time in AGESSSSS to see in 3D Alice in Wonderland, the latest Tim Burton/Johnny Depp/Helena Bonham-Carter team up.

It was IMMENSE despite some of the negative feedback it has received. I believe on IMDB.com one person has called it "the most generic and heartless Tim Burton movie since Planet of the Apes". OUCH! I am a huge Tim Burton fan and an even bigger Johnny Depp fan. In addition as lady crushes go, Helena Bonham-Carter is a hotty (Mainly due to her work in A Room with a View, Howard's End and Bellatrix in Harry Potter to be quite frank!!) SO despite the love going on there, as quality of films go, in short, I was not expecting a helluva lot from this movie. The tide of criticism was as high as the white cliffs of Dover from some people who are even bigger fans of Burton than me... HOWEVER. I was completely blown away by it. I really loved it and I will be purchasing it on DVD when it comes out!

A stellar British cast was involved including Barbara Windsor as the doormouse (Peggy from Eastenders for those commoners who do not know her for her Carry On movies), Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat (I bloody love that man!), Helena Bonham-Carter- of course-playing the Red Queen, Alan Rickman as the blue Caterpillar- I could recognise that man's sexy voice a mile off, and Matt Lucas playing both Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

We also have Anne Hathaway as the White Queen with some weird hand/interpretive dance gestures going on, Johnny Depp (phwoar) as the Mad Hatter with a pretty fabulous dance at the end (FACTOID: Hatters often when mad 18th/19th century; it was the mercury they used in the hat making process that had psychotic side-effects and often altered their hair colour, so Depp's exotic hair colour is not too far from the truth.)

As character's go, they were well developed for a big blockbuster. Depp played at times a deep and sensitive Mad Hatter; Helena Bonham-Carter as a "Just Wants To Be Loved" evil character- insecure and in deep need of psychiatric help; Alice was the nuts though. Played by Mia Wasikowska, a newbie to me as an actress, Alice came to life. She was a character that you could invest in... well emotionally I guess but then I think that maybe a bit too exaggerated, but because you believe her to be a real character with charm, wit and smarts that you kinda get involved with her working out the plot of the dream/world she is in. I read a review on a fellow blogger's site and she kinda nails it. There are no good, strong heroines out there in films or in books at the moment. There is a deficit of female gumption, as Eli Wallach's character (Arthur) puts it in The Holiday to Kate Winslet (Iris). Great film by the way if you want to see a great chick flick.

This lack of female strength and being a bit flimsy is kind of inherent at the moment in life, but Alice has managed to claw back some ground previously lost. I know I do go on a lot about femaleness and feminism and just the need to prove ourselves (of which my mam says to me I push too far and alienate people- which again may be true- but I shall avoid the delving into my deepest character flaws to another time) but there is just such a lack of gumption, and I really can't find a better word for it, that we really do need to alter.

BACK TO A LIGHTER NOTE! Artistically the film was a triumph. Absolutely stunning. I never got to see Avatar but I can imagine what it would have been like. Wearing the fifth-time-hand-me-down 3D glasses and eating jelly tots and 'lips and teeth' sweets whilst swigging Pepsi I had a thoroughly great time. Of course, the company really made the day *hugs*. The film was just the icing as they say, but of course any day with Johnny Depp is, by far, a wonderful day well spent :)

From "Poundlund" to free parking (always a bonus for the newly initiated driver) what an immense day. Epic triumph in sort. Slough didn't let us down :) Yay!

PS. Also a shout out to the costume designer- amazing!! Just Alice's dresses were fabulously thought out alone!!

Reference: http://wwwthenotsospotlessmind.blogspot.com/2010/04/film-review-alice-in-wonderland.html

Movie Review: Alice In Wonderland

We went to the Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland Sunday evening and I've been struggling ever since for words to describe it. The costumes and scenery are amazing; the special effects are stunning; I was even impressed with the makeup in this movie and I think that's a first. The story holds true to the original much more than I expected, with the expected Burton twists and quirks. Mia Wasikowska makes the transition from pale, wimpy, scared Alice to bold, confident Champion Alice remarkably. Johnny Depp is slightly frightning yet touching as the Mad Hatter. Anne Hathaway as the White Queen is comical. And the Red Queen - played by Helena Bonham Carter - and her minions are both grotesque and absurd. But none of those words quite sum it up. So I guess I'll have to go with the opinion I expressed to Dave as we were leaving the theater: That was BIZARRE!

Reference: http://tdreads.blogspot.com/2010/04/alice-in-wonderland.html

Alice In Wonderland (Review)

Ugh, don't tell me, I'm late, I already know, this movie came out over a month ago, but so what? I mean, I SAW it didn't I?? So better late than never, am I right? So here's the summary and review.



It started as Alice being a little girl and interuppting her father while he was doing some business with some people. She had a nightmare about a dodo bird, a blue caterpillar and a crazy hat man. She then asks him is he thinks she's gone mad. He says yes, but those people are the best.



THIRTEEN YEARS LATER . . . .

Alice and her mother are riding in a carriage to a party that Alice's fiancee's mother is throwing. But there's a special surprise, her fiancee is going to ask for her hand. After her father died just recently there is much tension about corsets and stockings and all that old fashioned stuff. Her mother-in-law-to-be is walking with Alice in the forest. And is telling her about how she hates ugly grand children. There's a rabbit running through some bushes that distracts Alice, and she excuses herself to chase after it. She loses the rabbit and is in the middle of a gazebo with her SUPER SNOOTY husband-to-be. He asks to marry her, and she completely blanks out and runs away after she sees the rabbit again. She falls into a hole and goes down and down and down and down and down and down and down she goes until she lands in a strange surrounded by doors. She sees a key and picks it up and tries every door, it doesn't work. Then she sees a little tiny door, the key works, but she can't fit through. When she looks back there's a little bottle that says drink me, so she does, even though it looks weird, and she shrinks. Now she can go through the door! But wait, no she can't she left the key on the table! Oh no! While she's struggling to get the key off the table there are mysterious people in the back whispering wondering if she's the right Alice. People are saying no and other's are saying yes. The rabbit is SURE it's the right Alice because he's been follwing her for a while. (Kinda creepy?) Alice finds a cookie that says eat me, and she does and she goes taller. REALLY tall, I mean SUPER tall that the dress she's in gets really small, she grabs the key and drinks the potion again and gets small and unlocks the door into Wonderland. There's a small forest and she walks through and meets Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, or aka the The Tweedles, or aka the Fat Boys as the Red Queen calls them. They have a small conversation about Alice and she's confused. They take her to see Absolum to see if she's the right Alice, Absolum is a fat smoking blue caterpillar, he says Alice is not hardly the right Alice. So everyone is all like oh yeah I told you and stuff. And then the Banderjack comes and attacks them and tries to kill them, but a dormouse stabs him in the eye and steals it. It was pretty gross, he chases after Alice and she's so convinced it's a dream, and stands him down but it isn't a dream and he scratches her arm. The Chesire cat says he can fix it later while she's walking in the woods. She doesn't want him to because she can't trust him. The cat takes her to the Mad Hatter and his friends. Since it is Alice's destiny to slay the Jabberwocky the Red Queen is angry and wants to cut off Alice's head. The queen's minions interuppt they're tea party and come and try to sniff her out, the Hatter stuffs her into a tea cup after he shrinks her. The dog sniffs her out and the Hatter quietly tells him that he doesn't need to tell them that she's in there. The dog agrees and leads the minions somewhere else. The Hatter and Alice leave the party and start to walk so that Alice can go visit the White Queen. She travels by hat, and the dog from earlier named Bayard comes back and catches the Hatter. But Alice still has his hat and decides to rest in the shade underneath the hat. Bayard comes and Alice is angry for ratting out her friend. He says simply they have his wife and pups. But will gladly take her to the Red Queen's kingdom to rescue him. So he does and she walks right in on the crochet game she was playing. A queen's white rabbit comes and gives her some of that cookie that makes her grow, she does again, and the queen notices. She asks who she is, even though she already has a slight idea. The rabbit says her name is Ummmm, and and the queen believes it! Ummmm from Umbridge! So the queen gives Alice some new clothes because she grew out of them so fast, and now the Red Queen gives Alice the tour and has her be like second in command. But the real second in command is away, HUNTING Alice. The Hatter is making hats for the Red Queen. The second in command comes back and sees Alice, and corners her, a person in the castle sees him and mistakes him for flirting with her. She runs to tell the queen. The second in command guy is all like no! She was all over me! Take HER head off not mine! I didn't do anything! (What a baby!) So the Red Queen believes him and wants to take Alice's head off, Alice runs to get the Valpor Sword to slay the jabberwocky on the prophecy day. She has to go into the cage of the banderjack and unlock it. To do that she has to give him his eye back. She needs to get away before the Red Queen sees her! She grabs the sword and runs away to the White Queen on the Banderjack. She gets there and she gets put back to her regular size and has a grand ole time. Until the day before the day seh is supposed to slay the jabberwocky. By this time the Mad Hatter has escaped his almost head cutting off. They are all deciding who will be the one to slay him if Alice is too scared. She HAS to kill him. So she is decided! She will kill him after a little pep talk she got from Absolum, who clears up the wrong-Alice and the right-Alice. She really IS the right Alice. All those nightmares from before aren't really nightmares, they are memories from being in Wonderland. So the next day everyone from the Red side and the White side come together and fight while Alice is trying to slay the jabberwocky. Predictably, she does, and the head comes off. The White queen gets the blood off the jabberwocky and gives it to Alice. Then since the White Queen is not allowed to harm any living creature she banishes second in command and the Red Queen, no one will talk to her and she won't have a friend. They are conjoined together by handcuffs. Alice DRINKS (yes, DRINKS) the jabberwocky blood and she goes home. She climbs out of the rabbit hole and runs back to the gazebo, she turns down her fiancee. Then her father-in-law-to-be-but-not-anymore-because-she-turned-him-down says that she could be an apprentice for him and go on a big trip. She does, and then a pretty blue butterfly comes by, who do you think it is? Absolum, right?? Yep. And that's how it ended.











So all in all, a pretty predictable movie, and there really was no fear in it. With all the hype it got, I was hoping for something more dramatic and awesome, but oh well.

So I give it

???

(3 stars)

Thanks for reading,

Delaney

Reference: http://infinitywordz.blogspot.com/2010/04/alice-in-wonderland-review.html

Alice in Wonderland movie review - Go See It!!

Alice in Wonderland is more than I thought it would be. I'd heard many things about it, mixed reviews, mostly talking about it's lack of soul, and how there wasn't much that was good about the movie except what was taken directly from the books. So when my daughter asked what happened to Alice after she chases the rabbit, I thought, why not? And indeed, I was delighted by Alice in Wonderland.



Before you ask, yes, I have read the classic. And before you ask again, I hate the cartoon version of it. I have refused to watch it more than once because I hate my childhood books being turned into animation. I consider them little better than Disney, and I am not a big fan of Disney. So I really wasn't looking forward to this version. I should have remembered it was by Tim Burton, and I should have remembered that he likes the scarily dark fantasy.



I really liked this version. I liked Alice, I liked all the characters, and Johnny Dep's The Mad Hatter had me convinced he had a soul, by the end of the movie. Not only that, when the movie ended, I wanted more. I wanted to see Alice heading off on her next adventure she had chosen. I thought it was an ending that, if Lewis Carroll could have imagined back when he wrote Alice, he might have chosen something like it for his Alice also. Most of all, when the movie ended, I was smiling. I had the biggest smile on my face. I was enchanted.



So why all the naysayers? I don't really know. I think they had already envisioned how Tim was going to do the movie, how the characters were going to be transported from the book, and most of all, all the Alice book fans thought the book itself was going to be recreated. I think Tim took the best parts and left off the boring bits - and the original book did have me confused and wondering what was going on sometimes, and I was greatly annoyed by the preachiness of the characters in the books. Alice is pretty wimpy too, in the book. The best parts - all the fearsomeness of the Red Queen is there - I did miss the crying baby with the face of a pig, though - the caterpillar, the amazing Cheshire cat (I want one like it! Please!!), the rabbits, the costumes, the set design, The Mad Hatter, and most of all, Alice. By the end of the movie I really liked her character. I loved this movie. I think it's a modern retelling of Alice. Even more important, the critic we went with, my 7 year old, also had a smile on her face at the end of it. And just now, I checked again, and she says, 'I LOVED it!" Her favourite bits? when Alice **********SPOILER ALERT***********



takes the head off the jabberwocky, she loves that part. The Mad Hatter - "he loves hats!", "the rabbit was worried about time." And of course, the Cheshire cat: "he can disappear!"



************************end of spoiler alert*****************************



So, if you can bear to let the classic book be retold for our modern age, then go. Go see "Alice". If you can't, then stick with the cartoon. By the way, I did not see it in 3-D. I have progressive lenses, and 3-D doesn't work with my glasses. Plus, I hate the idea of 3-D. I think it's stupid, so I won't go see them. Thankfully, the theatres - and movie makers - are offering these movies in both 3-D and normal viewing. Thank you!!!



Me? I'm going to reread the books again, and read them to my daughter, too. So when the movie comes out on video, we'll be ready - first in line to buy a copy. For the first time, I'd kind of like to go to Wonderland, which the books had me too scared/bored/glad I never went to. Alice In Wonderland the movie makes me think I might like it there after all.



The best lines?



"Am I mad?"

"Completely. It's not so bad. All the best people are, you know."

Reference: http://susanflynn.blogspot.com/2010/04/alice-in-wonderland-movie-review-go-see.html