Off with your head.........

Rating: 8/10 (6 March 2010)

With all the trouble Surrounding the films release (in the UK at least) i had very low expectations for the film. The trailer was average, and it seems that Burton had gone back to Planet Of The Apes Status. How wrong i was.
If you are expecting Burton circa, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands or Batman, you will be sorely disappointed. If you were a fan of Charlie and the chocolate factory, and like a lot of weird and wonderful characters that really do not amount to much, this will entertain.
The story is basically that Alice has forgot about her first trip to 'Underland' and returns after rejecting a marriage proposal. When she returns to Underland, she discovers that she is the only one who can defeat the Jabberwocky, and adventure starts there.
The film is quite similar to 'Hook' in many ways, the main protagonist has forgotten about her life in Underland, probably due to the fact that she lost her father and he was the only one who brought some life and wonderment to her life. Once her dad died, all the magic and creation was lost from her life, so she only recalls Underland in her subconscious.
And then we spend quite a bit of time with the original characters trying to remind her of her previous adventure. It sounds quite difficult to watch, but in fact, thanks to the 3-D and some very bizarre CGI, the film runs very briskly and is very funny, albeit a little dark at times.
Depp as always, steals the show as the Hatter, him sounding one moment like Groundskeeper Willie, the next like Sweeny Todd, and the dance he does at the end is hilarious and psychedelic. Hathaway is a little too Jack Sparrow for my liking, and doesn't really add anything to the film.
Bonham Carter and Glover are fine as the villain, but they too begin to grate as the film goes on. Good job then to the newcomer who plays Alice. Although she has a big job to do, in keeping up with some bizarre visuals and some huge talent, she manages to keep the character interesting and endearing.
Thankfully, it's a really good movie, with a very good narrative and good editing. Thankfully the connotations to drugs are not very obvious, but they are there, and although some of the 3-D is in your face, it does assist the film and Hinder it at times.
If you are a fan of Depp ala Pirates, Willy Wonka and Todd, you really will enjoy this.