Curiouser and curiouser...

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2010)

Having never read the book/s, and only having vague memories of the old Disney cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland, all I knew going into this film was the gist of what the story was about. However different things may be this time around, though, it still remains an interesting tale. Alice isn't as young as the first time she visited Wonderland (she's 19 now) and has forgotten her previous journey, but it seems she goes about doing things exactly the same way as she did her first time around (like drinking/eating stuff that says 'Drink Me'/'Eat Me' - Considering just how ominous that sounds, WHY would you do that??). Her various "wardrobe malfunctions"/costume changes, as a result of her shrinking/growing, are fun to watch.
Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska, despite what some might say, is actually very well cast in the role of the now older Alice. I can see why Tim Burton picked this relative newcomer over more well-known actresses. Despite all the amazing visuals/weird and wonderful characters in Wonderland, Mia is what carries this film. And a grand job she does of it too. She doesn't come off as annoying or stupid, but a character who's trying to figure out who she is and not wanting to let others decide *for* her. She certainly holds her own with rest of the cast and proves to in fact be the "right Alice". Alice definitely has not lost her "muchness".
Johnny Depp is actually quite restrained as the Mad Hatter...in a manner of speaking. He never goes so over the top that you can't connect with the character. He does, in fact, give the Hatter much more gravity and depth than you might expect from such a loon. His interaction/friendship with Alice helps ground the film (they're very loyal to each other). While he does have his wacky moments, he also has some quieter moments where you really get to see into the heart of his character. Speaking of hearts...
Helena Bonham Carter is a riot as the Red Queen/Queen of Hearts. She's completely off her rocker, as you'd expect, what with that bulbous head of hers. Watching her face turn red (as she gets all sorts of mad at everyone and everything), resting her feet on pigs and playing croquet with flamingos is really quite amusing. Her taking a liking to "Um from Umbridge" (as Alice refers to herself as) allowed for some great interaction between the two. Then, of course, the Queen lets loose with the "OFF WITH HER HEAD!!!" screaming once she finds out what is what. Meanwhile, the always creepy Crispin Glover - as Stayne/the Knave of Hearts - is one twisted individual (he likes "largeness"?). Of course, by the end of the film, we discover he might not be as devoted to his Queen as first thought (which totally blows the mind of the Red Queen's already swollen head).
Then there's the White Queen, played to perfection by Anne Hathaway. She totally embodies the role of this graceful, peace-loving, slightly peculiar, extremely pale Queen, who seemingly glides everywhere and is so majestic in all of her movements. Even Ms. Hathaway's *voice* is different to what we're used to. She's a bit odd, but that's what makes her so wonderful - that and the faces she makes when something grosses her out (which is especially funny, given the potions she creates - involving ingredients such as urine, fingers and her own spittle).
As for the voice cast, I really enjoyed Stephen Fry as the grinning/cheeky Cheshire Cat, Michael Sheen (who's been a werewolf, a vampire and is now a fluffy bunny) as the White Rabbit and Timothy Spall as the bloodhound, Bayard. As the March Hare, I couldn't understand much of what Paul Whitehouse was saying, but he was nevertheless entertaining (as he truly came off as mad - even moreso than the Hatter). The one character I couldn't stand was that stupid Dormouse! How I hated her, with her constant declarations of "She's the wrong Alice!". I was so glad when Alice just TOOK the eyeball of the Bandersnatch from that annoying Dormouse when she dared her to. By the way, I really liked that spotted creature and how it and Alice were a team/friends by the end.
As far as story goes, this was an interesting interpretation (in that it's a sequel of sorts to the original Alice tale). I never felt things got "boring" at any stage, and while it did come close to running a tad too long, I feel it ended at just the right moment and with a nice conclusion for the character of Alice. This was the first/only movie that I have seen in 3D, and what a great experience it was! Things literally flying out at you/feeling like you could reach out and touch them/like they were there in the cinema *with* you? Truly splendid. It was visually stunning (as was the beginning of the end credits). Tim Burton has given us a superb interpretation of the story that puts almost all other screen adaptations to shame. I'd definitely be willing to go down the rabbit hole and see it all again.