Usual Tim Burton, but even that gets old eventually

Rating: 6/10 (7 March 2010)

First off, I was perplexed at the onset of this film as to why Burton decided to use the expensive 3D architecture to produce this film. Honestly, it could have worked fine in 2D seeing very little of the film took advantage of the technology. Most film by Burton can be classified dark, but with a bit of jocularity that keeps the film entertaining. I was disappointed that there really wasn't much levity in this film. The overall fingerprint of the plot was war: Why does one got to war? To what ends will it inevitably bring? A crown? Loyal subjects? Money? Power? Okay, one queen had secret weapons, and the other queen is waiting for their savior. Wonder who is coming to dinner? Burton arranges for his favorite players once again, but there are some fresh faces as well, such as the relatively unknown Mia Wasikowska - who by the way, plays an excellent older Alice. Depp is given his freedom to develop his cast character even to the initial painting he did of the character he played. Helena plays a wonderful queen, but her cheek is not all that unfamiliar when comparing it to her role in the Potter films. I felt even though the cast played on favorites, they worked well in this stylized edition of Lewis Carrol's books. Technically, as I already mentioned, this film could have been done with a lot less money had Burton omitted the 3D cameras. Putting on the glasses after having been completely immersed in Camerons beautiful Pandoran environment just didn't satisfy the desire to have a presentation of something new. Being one of the first CGI films that Burton has produces (Being a staunch supporter of stop-action camera techniques over computer generated animation), he wasted no time extrapolating and exaggerating his cast characters into solid cartoon format. The color is dark, the shading is deep and rich; but I just don't know if it is enough to keep people coming back after the DVD is released to watch it more that a couple more times before it ends up on CraigsList. I'm sad to say I would be fine watching this on my home theater had I the option of paying $10 to see a matinée which included a $3 disposable 3D glass charge (I am slowly obtaining an impressive collection of fat, black plastic 3D movie glasses). It was fun, but it just wasn't quite "There". Don't get me wrong... I like Burton's work and haven't really missed anything he's directed big or small. I just can't go the distance with this, although I truly wish I could have. -B