Review: Alice in Wonderland

A couple of months after Avatar’s release, Tim Burton decided he should be the next high-profile filmmaker to jump onto the 3D bandwagon. Alice in Wonderland, with all its bizarre, unruly landscapes, is perfect material for a director who specializes in creating visually striking worlds for the big-screen. Just look at his CV: Beatlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Sweeney Todd, a couple of Batmans… No doubt, Tim Burton was meant to make a live-action version of Alice in Wonderland all along…

… Except Burton isn’t making Alice in Wonderland. Whether his film is supposed to be a remake, an update or a sequel to the 1951 Disney ‘toon is never entirely clear. Set thirteen years after her last visit to Wonderland (or Underland, depending on the interpretation) Alice is all grown up and expected to marry a snotty aristocrat. Most importantly she does not have any recollection of ever visiting the fantastical world as a child. Once she spots the white rabbit at her surprise engagement party she gives into her curious nature and follows him once again down the renowned rabbit hole. 

What ensues are a number of colorful characters, locations and set-pieces all strung together by an over-elaborate plot which ultimately fails to engage. After all the source material is arguably one of the barmiest children’s stories ever conceived (think of its influence on The Matrix!), so there was little need for Linda Woolverton to write a script which further complicates the narrative. By the time Alice improvises a fake alliance with the villainous Red Queen you will be scratching your head in bewilderment. It almost feels like Burton was hoping for the audience to be too distracted by the glossy 3D visuals to actually bother focusing on the ludicrous plot. 

Another flaw is the casting of Mia Wasikowska as the titular character. She may possess the looks and requisite amount of innocence to play Alice but half hour into the film her blandness begins to transpire. Perhaps Dakota Fanning or The Lovely Bones’ Saoirse Ronan would have been better choices.

Admittedly, the film is not without a few saving graces. Johnny Depp may add yet another delightful entry to his gallery of weirdoes in the form of Carrot Top lookalike the Mad Hatter, but it is Helena Bonham Carter who steals the spotlight with her spoilt, OTT performance as the Red Queen. And Wonderland itself is a joy to behold. To quote the Hatter, it is a place like no place on Earth, impeccably crafted and rendered all the more striking in 3D. Add in the ear candy of Dolby Surround and you get one of the most immersive experiences your home theatre has to offer. Oh, and you will want to hug and cuddle the Cheshire Cat.

2/5