" If you look closely at a mirror you will realize it has more than one reflection "

Rating: 7/10 (13 June 2010)

Charles Dodgson wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll and his imaginative books have been christened by the world of literature as Classics. His most famous and enduring work written in 1865 is called " Alice in Wonderland " which by the way is the title of this movie. Although read mostly by young literary students, this particular film has a dark, shadowy, foreboding environ meant for adult audiences. Carroll's original story is of a twelve-year-old girl named Alice who follows a white rabbit down into a strange nonsensical world full of odd assortment of creatures. This latest version is decidedly updated from it's original synopsis. The original Walt Disney film had Kathryn Beaumont as Alice with Sterling Holloway as the Cheshire Cat. Now we have Tim Burton directing this more somber offering, with Mia Wasikowska playing Alice. Johnny Depp is the Mad Hatter with Stephen Fry as the disappearing Cat and Alan Rickman is recognized as the voice of the Caterpillar. The menacing Jabberwacky is played by accomplished character actor Christopher Lee. Attemping to forget the original and focusing on this 2010 version, one finds it interesting, assertive and whimsical. The fast background scenery is fantastically creative and more importantly action driven. The Idea of a mature, 18 year old warrior Alice is difficult to comprehend as she is not only to be married, but forced to accept a social standing and offered a traveling business venture as well. It's far from Carroll's original concept. Nevertheless, it's a movie for any who desires to join Alice in the modern world and far from the Looking Glass where she began. ****