Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton and stars Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Michael Sheen and Stephen Fry. It is an extension of the Lewis Carroll novels Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. The film uses a technique of combining live action and animation.
In the film, Alice is now 19 years old. Shortly after the death of her beloved father, she attended a party at a Victorian estate. Alice spots a white rabbit wearing a waistcoat and pocket watch. In shock and confusion, she runs off into a maze and follows the White Rabbit through it. She eventually tumbles down a rabbit hole into “Wonderland.” Although she had visited this place 10 years earlier, she had entirely forgotten about it. She is told that she is the only one that can slay the Jabberwock, a dragon controlled by the Red Queen.
This movie adaptation of Alice in Wonderland is no doubt a visual pleasure. Aside from the interesting events, this film can also pride itself with its interesting take on the matter This 2010 movie adaptation of Alice in Wonderland is more of a sequel type of the movie rather than a plain adaptation.
Despite the visual treat, it somehow saddens me to see that the wonderful effects used in this movie seem to overpower the acting abilities of its actors. Instead of looking deeper into what is within the film, many people might focus more on the superficial level. I understand that aesthetics is of primary consideration, but it should also be pointed out that aesthetics should be balanced with a good storyline, witty dialogues, and superb cinematography. I am not saying that this film lacks in those three areas, but the fact that its visual spectacles stood out from the story itself is somewhat alarming, for lack of a better word. I think that there is more wisdom to the movie that what satisfies the visual faculty.
Overall, I enjoyed watching this film. Alice in Wonderland didn’t fail my expectations insofar technical artistry is concerned. Despite this movie’s minimal shortcomings, Alice in Wonderland is a movie worth watching.
One Comment
it was a little weird that burton fused through the looking glass with alice in wonderland. for example, the scene where she follows the rabbit to wonderland (originally from alice in wonderland, in through the looking glass she enters wonderland via a mirror) and when she arrives in wonderland, she has no recollection of it (an element from TTLG and not AIW). but then again, tim burton IS a little weird.
i did like the fact that it was all visual…i mean, both stories are alice’s (again the word) weird DREAMS, so i think it was just right that the visuals were heightened. the story, when read, is really something you imagine more than understand the meaning of, so that was fine with me.