One step short of brilliant

Rating: 9/10 (16 March 2010)

Based on two books written for children in the late 19th century this film is one adaptation out of many. The story line works well enough, if you're into fairy tales and the sometimes odd angles they take. Personally I love a good fairy tale, especially if it's a bit dark and twisted, so this works well for me.
This adaptation is then done in part computerized graphics, part acting, part cross-over. Added to that is a layer of 3D effects that make for a solid immersion in a world that is strange for most - but terrifyingly believable as well. For me the way the scenery was designed matched perfectly of what I remembered from the books - which I read as a child, years ago.
The computer graphics are wildly colored and often heavily exaggerated but it fits the story and therefore works out really well. Music doesn't really jump out, but fits. Acting is fitting, with only a very small number of very small kinks. The choice of rolling events works very well, with only one or two falling out of place/style.
All in all, I had high expectations when I walked into the theater - I generally love Tim Burton's work, especially when it combines with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter because the three of them always make for a well matched team, and I also love the original Alice in Wonderland story and its sequel. And although that usually means the expectation gets shattered while actually watching the film it wasn't in this case - this film offered all I wanted and more.
So, apart from one or two out-of-place/style scenes, there's only one word describing this film and that word is brilliant.
9 out of 10 rabbits in a deep hole