Alice in Wonderland 3D (2010)

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Director Tim Burton

Stars Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter & Anne Hathaway.

Things You Might Like

• Favourite characters brought to life
• Brilliant British voice casting
• Some perfect visuals
• Entertaining and restrained use of 3D

Things You Might Not Like

• Plot poorly carved from Alice’s history
• Plot then made to fit derivative template
• Too few original ideas
• Soulless adaption of classic book/cartoon
• Depp’s cringe-inducing dancing.

Conclusion
Lacking the soul and charm expected, this is still a good lesson in how 3D can help a movie.

2 out of 5 prompt rabbits

Luke McGrath

***

These days it seems to help a kid’s film to be a bit ‘dark’, as if the accompanying adults need an ‘edge’ to agree to the whole thing. There were few edgier children’s writers than Lewis Carroll in his time or ours (if certain rumours are true). There are few darker children’s directors than Burton, the man who launched the entire dark and edgy kid’s genre after producing A Nightmare Before Christmas.  So why doesn’t Alice in Wonderland work?

Some of the fault lies with the screenwriting; the film claws events from Carroll’s three main Alice stories: Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass and Jabberwocky and feels fragmented as a result.’ Here, Alice returns to Wonderland some 13 years after her first adventure. Her appearance is greeted with celebration among the inhabitants, who live in fear of the Red Queen’s head-lopping ways. Alice learns that she is prophesised as Wonderland’s saviour and must fight the dragon-like Jabberwocky to free the kingdom.

It is a familiar story, carved from Carroll’s catalogue to make a familiar film. Yet the pieces never add up to more than their parts, they feel sadly out of place put together in this fashion. Carroll’s quirky, meandering plot is now a predicable ‘journey’. The film is a poor relation to the Narnia movies rather than an attempt at something unique.

The problem of audience familiarity doesn’t end with the story. Carroll’s original novels contain illustrations by John Tenniel that have influenced almost every work based on them. Chief among these is the fantastic and well-loved 1951 cartoon version. The images haven’t changed and it becomes jarring to see them cloaked in Burton’s trademark style. The effect is like a live action adaption of the cartoon, rather than the books.

Burton’s style is, of course, present. The Victorian gothic charm is checked off, and the odd world of Wonderland ranks among his best visual work to date. Regulars Depp and Bonham Carter turn in fine performances as supporting characters, adding much needed weight to the derivative conclusion. Wasikowska delivers the strongest work in a breakout role; her Alice is vulnerable and valiant, naive and knowledgeable.

The film is not a lost cause. The use of 3D, or rather the restraint of its use, is remarkable. Teacups whirl around the theatre as much as the party and the Jabberwocky breathes fire over the back of your seat. When they are his own, the visuals match any of the director’s previous efforts. It’s a shame then that Burton didn’t spend more time thinking about his media. Who wouldn’t have fallen for a stop-motion adventure over this ragged affair? Burton has shown he can do 3D, what he should have shown was the heart he used to put into his films.

Alice in Wonderland is just about good enough for the kids. Those of us who’ve read or seen this before will know it can be done more effectively. Yet a new generation who haven’t seen its sources will claim Burton’s Wonderland as their own.

Buy Alice in Wonderland  from Amazon