Visually enchanting. Tim Burton once again skews one's world view with this wonderful literary classic.

Rating: 7/10 (5 March 2010)

I for one am a big Tim Burton fan, he's one of the best directors around in film. I love his offbeat use of odd faced characters, and dark backdrops similar to old classic German cinema techniques. Burton always seems to be the master of the sky the leader of the macabre as his oddball characters bring out the best of not only themselves but Burton as well. And this is proved in his films ranging from "Batman", "Edward Scissorhands", "Ed Wood", "Sweeny Todd", and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". So I knew going in I would enjoy his take on "Alice in Wonderland" as he once again teamed up with Johhny Depp so I know the chemistry was present for some great work.
I probably enjoyed the film even more having saw it in IMAX as the crystal clear images and teardrop reflections of images flying right off of the screen was exhilarating to witness. I for one knew like most the plot and story of this literature classic even though I had never read Lewis Carroll's take. Even more fun was the kooky and colorful zany take that Burton would have. The story is typical taking place in London a young girl named Alice(Mia Wasikowska)thinks back to an adventure she had and enjoyed thirteen years earlier, and at the present she seems weighed and tightened down by family and a politically correct majority.
So with any typical fairy tale when a little bunny rabbit appears Alice is lead to a fall thru hole that will take her to a magical joyful land of new adventure and new characters! Alice's meetings aside from the rabbit include the March Hare, the smiling Cheshire Cat, and the awkward yet lovable chubby fellows Tweedledee/Tweedledum(Matt Lucas). To top the journey adventure off Alice meets the strange yet determined Mad Hatter(Johnny Depp)and this character reminds one of a Carrot Top in Kabuki makeup. It's the goal of all to slay an ancient dragon called Jabberwock which will fulfill a prophecy and free Wonderland from the Red Queen(Helena Bonham Carter). The power and a special item(a sword that slays the dragon)will be returned to the White Queen(Anne Hathaway, as this character is a spitting image of Snow White and Ginda the good witch). This tale clearly has similar themes to another classic like "The Wizard of Oz" as I just mentioned a comparison a few lines ago.
Overall this film is enjoyable and a visual treat to watch especially in IMAX it's your typical classic feel good literature tale of meeting new friends, good against evil, as along the way courage, thought, and love is learned. It's really a must see too for any Tim Burton fan as here he shot actors against green screens filling in the world with computer generated imagery. As clearly this is one film where the images and characters outweigh and outclass the plot and stories meaning.