Of when Tim Burton betrayed himself for a pretty face (Not his wife's)

Rating: 1/10 (14 December 2012)

While the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp combo often dazzle us with their rather enjoyable inputs, Burton's obsession with the actor has sometimes too gotten the better of him. This is perhaps the most blatant example of this. The fact that Burton chose a very poor lead who, as Alice, seems to take the destiny of Wonderland as seriously as having her morning cereal; and changed the focus of the movie from adaptation to all out sequel is no coincidence, it is all perfectly calculated to make the Mad Hatter, portrayed by Depp, the main star of the show. Alice's bland personality, forgivable looks and silent ways (Which by the way are the complete opposite of any other Alice we've ever seen or heard of) are carefully crafted to not steal any spotlight from Hatta's crazy antics and colorful appearance. While I don't mind artistic license, Burton needs to remember that storytelling is not to be taken as something personal, but as a tool. The main flaw of a writer or a movie maker is getting in too deep with the characters, it disallows one from experimenting and takes away the pull of making them suffer, transforming characters into the Mary Sue Depp often is in Burton's work. It's sad to see this movie be such a failure because I used to think that if someone could convey the wonderful mess that Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and it's lesser widespread sibling Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There are, was Burton. Disgracefully, his storytelling has fallen flat and the creatively sinister aura that surrounds works like Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas has faded away in spite for out of place "Fabujous" dances.