Visually fantastic

Rating: 7/10 (7 November 2010)

I haven't read the original story, and to be honest I didn't really understand the whole point of the story in the first place. Especially after watching the Disney cartoon, it sort of left me a bit bewildered.
However, in this version, I am happy to say it is an enjoyable movie, which looks great visually with some good performances in particular from Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. Mia Wasikowska as Alice is very likable and the fact that she is a lot older in this version (which explains itself later on in the film) and is not so much as a damsel in distress figure makes it more enjoyable to take this journey alongside her.
The changes to the original story didn't bother me that much. I thought this was an interesting take on the tale and it actually added a bit more substance to what is a slightly meaningless tale in the beginning anyway. Johnny Depp's character as the Mad Hatter is good, though I liked him better in other movies. But it really is Helena Bonham Carter who lights this up as the villainous queen. She steals the show with her spineless and cold character.
I did find the ending battle a bit somewhat anti climatic, but I think it doesn't really matter since this isn't a film about battles and major war (thought it sometimes tries to be) but more about the beauty of a new world and how you can learn things from it, even though it is quite confusing.
This made more than a billion at the box office - wow I'm surprised! Not because I think it's a bad film, but I didn't realise this story had such an impact on so many people.
This is a much more darker version on this tale, though I don't think it is dark enough to scare young kids, though they may be a little frightened of some scenes. I think adults will also enjoy this, though those looking for a faithful adaptation of the original story will probably have to get used to the new ideas, but it is imaginative nevertheless.
Worth to see for the performances and the visuals. Story - hmmm..well it's in my opinion a higher notch above the original story, but nothing majorly spectacular.