I honestly thought I wouldn’t like this Tim Burton film. Everything looked just entirely too too much and over the top. The trailers didn’t really appeal to me. I went to the 2D version because it was cheaper, so if I didn’t like it I hadn’t shelled out a lot of dough to see it. I was surprised by how many kids were in the theater – I expected the movie to be dark and I thought it was rated higher for more mature audiences. It’s not. It’s pretty kid friendly actually. To make a long story short, loved it. Like LOVED it.
The Actors:
- Mia Wasikowska is a wonderful Alice. Perfect from the tips of her curly blond hair to the points of her little toes. She’s a treat to watch.
- In the trailers, Johnny Depp, looks and sounds so completely bonkers, I was afraid he’d overplay the part. But Johnny’s performance is surprisingly poignant and full of charm.
- Helena Bonham Carter was another who I thought would overplay, but she’s every inch the Red Queen without being too much.
- Anne Hathaway plays the flighty White Queen. I couldn’t tell if she was good or bad for half the movie (yes clearly I’ve not read the books… shh… bad reader no cookie.)
- Crispin Glover was great as the Knave of Hearts also known as Stayne.
- Voice actors Michael Sheen and Alan Rickman did wonderful in their parts.
The Costumes:
- Alice Kingsley’s multiple outfits. You’d think the magic juice and cake would make her clothing shrink and grow accordingly, but it doesn’t. It leads to a bunch of hilarity and costume changes allowing Alice to fit into this new mad world.
- I’m on the fence for Johnny Depp’s makeup as the Mad Hatter. On one hand I love it – and he can certainly wear it. The eyelashes are awesome. On the other hand I really dislike the purple on white skin palette.
- Every costume for the Red Queen was gorgeous. It’s Tudor period meets Disney.
- Did not like the White Queen’s costumes. Or more accurately put, I hated that Anne Hathaway had dark thick black eyebrows and thick black/mauve lips against all that white. Very bizarre.
- Knave of Hearts face makeup was excellently done. He really looked like he had scars on his face.
CGI:
- The scenery will blow your mind in a very good way.
- All of the creatures and inhabitants of Wonderland (Underland) are highly stylized. I loved the White Rabbit and the March Hare the best. Go Team Rabbits. Er… Team Hares?
- Absolem or the Blue Caterpillar looked like a wrinkled old man. I especially liked his forays into the real world.
Favorite Moments:
The Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?
Alice Kingsley: I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.The Mad Hatter: [to Alice] You used to be much more...muchier. You've lost your muchness.
Alice Kingsley: This is impossible.
The Mad Hatter: Only if you believe it is.
If you can’t tell by my quotes you should know some of the best parts in the whole film are between Alice and Mad Hatter. They help each other, save each other, rescue each other, look out for each other… I was very disappointed when Johnny Depp didn’t appear in the real world as either himself or as someone new for Alice to meet that looked like her old friend. I thought there was romance in the air there… perhaps for a sequel?
Overall a wonderful movie and well worth the price of admission. I think I just might go see it in 3D.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Buy: Alice in Wonderland (2-Disc Special Un-Anniversary Edition)
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This post was written by...
Keira – who has written 1169 posts on Love Romance Passion.
Keira's favorite type of heroes are blind, scarred, and tortured... yes, she understands those should be separate, but all 3 at once is also nice! She enjoys historical romances best and adores audio books because great narrators turn books into auditory/mental movies (and she loves her romantic dramas like Pride and Prejudice/North and South!) Learn more about Keira in My Instant Turn Ons, Offs, and Ifs.
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I kid you not, I wanted to see the Percy Jackson movie instead, but the other members from my own Wonderland kept insisting we see Alice. I said, “Oh…jeez, Tim Burton’s going to ruin it, like he did to that other film.” But, I absolutely loved his version of Alice. It wasn’t too dark, my mini-me’s loved it. I would see it again another one, three, or ten times. I loved Johnny Depp’s character.
Yeah Johnny Depp really made the movie I feel. He was so incredibly good and I just loved the byplay between his Hatter and Alice.
Percy Jackson is good also. I really enjoyed it and it’s better than the book I feel.
A secret: Alice in Wonderland creeps me out. This movie does look cool, but I think I might rent it to minimize the creeping-me-out factor.
I felt that way too but this movie is not that creepy… if at all. It’s pretty cute actually.
Johnny Depp is so sexy. I loved him in Public Enemies, I’ve watched it like 4 times at the movies! it was great. Channing Tatum is in it too but you only get to see him for a tiny part of a scene. i definitely can’t wait for Alice In Wonderland, he will be charming as usual.
I really loved the ending as well. Alice begins a new adventure as a confident, independent, adventurous and happy woman instead of settling for an obviously unhappy arranged marriage. Hurray for Alice and the movie going girls who get to see a great role model!
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