A clever re-telling of the classic story in true Burton style

Rating: 8/10 (4 April 2010)

First I should mention I did see Alice in Wonderland in 3D. I mention this because 3D is out of control and I am the President of the opinion that it truly is being overused and killed before it even begins. Does Step Up 3 need to be in 3D? Or Robin Hood, or Clash of The Titans or the dozens of other movies that are? Having seen Avatar in both forms I can tell you the 3D made little difference...Avatar was great because it was great. That being said Alice in Wonderland in 3D was truly a Wonderland. This was some of the best 3D I have ever seen including Avatar. The world is perfect to be seen in 3D and the characters are brilliant loud and boisterous. A true brilliant twist was for Burton and the film makers to make this a sequel that isn't a sequel at all. It combines everything from Alice In Wonderland, Through The Looking Glass, a new spin to the story but still this is a simple re-telling for the most part of the original Disney classic leaving out much of the extra in the novel behind. The only downside to this is that the film flies through the content too quickly and leaves you a little breathless by the end of it.
Mia Wasikowska, who is described as a newcomer, is truly terrific as the nearly twenty Alice who is being forced into adulthood and marriage. She really makes Alice come to life and I think she has a really terrific career ahead of her! She headlines this cast flawlessly. Helena Bonham Carter is absolutely amazing as the Red Queen. This is the second best 'animated' performance I have seen in less than a year (first being Zoe Zaldana's performance in Avatar.) Bonham Carter is wild and over the top of larger than life and she is a true classic Disney villain. If there is only one reason to see this movie she would be it. Fortunately she isn't the only reason. I certainly had no desire to see this for Johnny Depp. Depp is becoming a typical offbeat character actor after Jack Sparrow, Willy Wonka and now The Mad Hatter. I figured it would be Willy Wonka all over again but I was completely wrong. Depp shows some incredible talent yet again putting actual heart and character but still maintaining what we all know and love about the Mad Hatter. Anne Hathaway, who is a great actress, doesn't really do much in her rather silly and contrived performance as The White Queen. She should have stuck with being offered the role of Alice because this does nothing for her career especially next to Bonham Carter. The full cast of supporting characters are really terrific including Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas (hilariously done), Stephen Fry (the best Cheshire cat in years), and Alan Rickman to name the best of the best in the cast.
Tim Burton is no stranger to bizarre and that really makes Alice In Wonderland perfect for him. When all is said and done he doesn't go too high off the deep end although Alice In Wonderland is already pretty deep but he does make it a bit of a dark and twisted story that makes it entertaining for adults and kids alike although young kids might find it a little too dark. Regardless if you want to see a truly great classic re-told with spin and looking stunning in 3D then Alice In Wonderland will really impress you. For those that seem to think it wasn't good or didn't meet expectations I think the idea of a fantasy epic is cut short because it flies through the story so quickly. All in all this one is a must see for the family and sure to become a classic in Disney standards. 8.5/10