Swirly and colorful, but disappointing

Rating: 3/10 (13 June 2019)

There have been so many film adaptations of Alice in Wonderland, both before and after Disney's iconic cartoon, it's really no surprise that Tim Burton finally got around to making one. And, since it's a Tim Burton movie, it's no surprise that Johnny Depp takes the lead and Helena Bonham Carter plays the Queen of Hearts.
When you scan the cast list, you might find some choices you think will be perfect and entertaining, like Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar, Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, and Michael Sheen as the White Rabbit. Watching the movie proves to be an entirely different experience than the one you envisioned, since every single person in the movie seems to have been given the direction, "Say your lines as differently from the Disney version as humanly possible." Alan Rickman, with his beautifully famous voice, said his lines quickly and clipped. Not only was it not at all what audiences have come to associate with the Caterpillar, but it's a waste of his soothing, mimicable voice.
Mia Wasikowska stars as Alice, and rather than playing the role as a curious little girl with an intricate imagination, she's a sullen teenager with a chip on her shoulder. Her lack of energy is a stark contrast to the rest of the vibrant film, and it doesn't mesh well. Johnny Depp is his usual ridiculous self, relying on makeup and weirdness to fool the audience into a state of admiration. Helena Bonham Carter takes a leaf from his book, thinking the audience will be so focused on her digitally altered head than her acting ability. In all the versions of Alice in Wonderland I've seen, I don't know if I've ever seen a more lackluster, disappointing Queen of Hearts.
Some of you will love this version. The special effects and swirly, colorful Wonderland will make for a fun afternoon. I'll stick with Disney, or if I'm in the mood for real people, the 1933 version.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. This is Wonderland, so expect some swirling visuals and moving camera shots that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"