I Could Watch It Again, But It Ain't No Wonderland.

Rating: 5/10 (25 July 2014)

Alice in Wonderland is an extremely beloved book by Lewis Carroll, that was adapted into a Disney animated classic. But how does the re-imagining fare out?
Well the story I feel wasn't half bad, and I feel judging this film too deeply will be a headache because it is suppose to be filled with many bizarre characters and unexplainable moments. For the most part the lunacy is highly enjoyable, but as far as the situation goes which is being presented as serious in subject matter is nothing that special. In a nutshell, it's good vs. evil and a tad boring at that. There are parts where Mia Wasikowska shines as Alice, but there are more moments where the character is undeniably dull. I have always enjoyed Miss Wasikowska's performances, and had she more polished moments in the film I believe the performance would have been solid.
Speaking of characters, Johnny Depp again delivers with his eccentric portrayal of the Mad Hatter. Helena Bonham Carter is also very well developed as the Red Queen, and my top 3 favourite characters would have to be The Hatter, The Caterpillar and The Cheshire Cat (Voiced by the always fantastic Stephen Fry).
Well for as much bashing as this movie has taken, the visuals were incredible. It's becoming harder to say if technology is keeping up with Burton, but I loved every speck of smoke whiffling on the screen. Creating a live action version of Wonderland I feel could give "Avatar" (2009) a run for it's money. If I had any complaints it's that the story could have been better, and if they had emphasised the correct characters the movie would be a lot more enjoyable. The fact that Christopher Lee was not more involved in the project is a little disappointing, given how his character is discussed throughout the story. They literally cut off his characters tongue at that moment, so he would not be able to talk during the rest of the scene.
Final Verdict: When all is said and done, a return to Wonderland was inevitable and having Tim Burton direct it was the correct way to go. The result is a smart decision that if it had been executed a little better, it would have found more success critically. Regardless, it has fantastic casting, and that alone would get me back in the chair to watch it again. 5/10. Hats off to the future!