Who needs expectations when you've got Tim Burton?

Rating: 8/10 (14 April 2010)

I will admit, this film was far away from my expectations. I will also admit, this is not necessarily a negative thing.
Alice in Wonderland 2010 is yet another combination of three fantastic people; Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter - three beautiful, creative, clever, imaginative and fantastic people who have created many things most people would not even come across thinking. However, the thoughts that immediately cross my mind when I think of Alice in Wonderland - a little girl, a beautiful world, craziness, colours, lots of colours. In this Alice in Wonderland? Not so much.
Tim Burton adapted Alice and he adapted the wonderland. He adapted them to his crazy chaotic mind, to create something new, something wild, something.. well, fantastic really. A certain simple grimness went with the movie, which you will understand when you watch it. But it is something to embrace rather than shy away from. I have heard from too many people that the film was 'not up to expectations'. But why do you need expectations when you've got Tim Burton as a director? As for Johnny Depp - as always, he came up trumps as the Mad Hatter. Some could say that his role showed a little too much likeness to Willy Wonka in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory 2005. However, I beg to differ. Willy Wonka and Mad Hatter share many characteristics. They are both wild, wacky, and...well...wonderful people. Therefore, I believe Tim Burton and Johnny Depp knew what they were doing with the hint of Willy Wonka, not forgetting the hint of Johnny himself.. and it is perfect. Johnny is perfect, as usual. The film also includes actors you may know of such as Helena Bonham-Carter, Anne Hathaway, Barbara Windsor and Stephen Fry, plus many more. The casting, in my opinion, is perfectly done. Although I will admit the storyline could have been more complex and less predictable, the wonderful acting and 3D graphics help to steer you away from this point.
If you are looking for a life changing, thought provoking storyline, this film is not where you will find one. If you are looking for a magical, fun family adventure and a beautiful experience, it is.
Oh, and stay for the credits. I think they're beautiful. You'll see what I mean.