Monday, March 15, 2010

Alice in Wonderland review & actor updates

Finally caught Alice in Wonderland this weekend. I wanted to catch it while it was still offered in 3D.

Now, if you've never liked the storyline of Alice in Wonderland, nothing about this movie will change your mind. It's very familiar and offers nothing really fresh or new. I've never cared for the tale and after seeing this movie, I still don't. Lewis Caroll was on some serious drugs when he created this world.


Tim Burton's visual style is amazing. Alice in Wonderland is a beautiful looking film, full of atmosphere and lushness. The Jabberwocky is realistic and the battle scene well done.


Mia Wasikowska does a fine job as Alice, and she is the real star of the film. Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter is a supporting character at best, and I was not impressed with his take on the role. He really wasn't that mad. The other characters did a great job and I especially liked the Cheshire Cat, voiced by Stephen Fry.


The 3D was cool, however... I think I am getting used to the effects now, so the 3D needs to be something spectacular. Now that Avatar has broken new ground with complete and total immersion rather than the sense of things simply 'being in 3D.' I'm looking for more of the same.


The movie had some fun moments, some dark moments, and was a visual feast - if you enjoy that sort of thing, you'll enjoy this trip into Wonderland.


Now, what really caught my eye was the number of interesting actors in this movie...


Michael Sheen was the White Rabbit, and he will be in the upcoming Tron: Legacy. He's also rumored to be in Underworld 4. (Fingers crossed.)


Alan Rickman was Abosolom and will of course return as Snape in the next Harry Potter movie.


Red Queen Helena Bonham Carter will also return in the next Harry Potter movie.


Crazy Crispin Glover's next project is Hot Tub Time Machine.


And Johnny Depp is of course making another Pirates of the Caribbean movie. (As long as they make money, Disney will keep pumping them out.) He's also rumored to be in Sin City 3.


And there you have it! Anyone know of other upcoming fantasy/sci-fi movies for these actors and actresses?

15 comments:

Summer Frey said...

Another Pirates movie? Really? Ugh. I've been on the fence about Alice, but these reviews make me more inclined. I've always liked the story and Through the Looking Glass, so sounds like I won't be disappointed.

JournoMich said...

I think the most interesting thing about this movie are the stills--they are beautiful! Real art. You are right about the cast, truly a great group. I really like Rickman, Bonham Carter and even Crispin Glover.

Probably won't see this one. I saw Disney's version way back when. Been there, done that.

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Jemi Fraser said...

I've never been a fan of the Alice storyline, so I haven't bothered with the movie, although it does sound like it has some interesting moments.

Maybe when it's rentable :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'll catch it on a rental, too.
And another Underworld movie? Wonderful!

The Old Silly said...

I really want to take my grandkids to see Alice. I happen to love the storyline - probably a hangover from my old Hippie days when I realized the story was (had to be) written by someone on a little too much acid, lol. I saw the preview when going to see Avatar and got hooked on seeing Alice too. Thanks for the review!

Marvin D Wilson

Adele said...

there are lots of bits about the Alice story that I dislike but I watch it again and again because I just can't get enough cheshire cat. :)

Anonymous said...

Absolom... is that an original character or have they renamed somebody? I'm sure I don't remember one of those...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yeah, Summer, unfortunately they are making another Pirates movie.

Michele, it's neat to look at, but nothing new.

Marvin, then you probably really appreciated Burton's take.

Hagelrat, the Cheshire cat was the best part!

Hampshire, he's the blue caterpillar.

Helen Ginger said...

I'd like to see this in 3-D. If I wait and can't see it in 3-D, I probably won't bother, although the clips they show on TV are beautiful.

I would've thought Depp would've been a really mad Hatter since he's pretty crazy.

Helen
Straight From Hel

DEZMOND said...

"Lewis Caroll was on some serious drugs when he created this world."
Eh, if I had a penny every time I've heard this sentence :)))

I think all those $200 million that ALICE has earned in last two weeks is solely based on the magnificent and utterly adorable charms of the Chesire Cat :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Helen, he really wasn't that mad!

Dez, you should be a millionaire then.
And the Cheshire Cat was very cool.

Anonymous said...

We're going to see it tomorrow night at the IMAX. Everyone's looking forward to it. I've heard its not as dark as other of Burton's works. Should be a good time for all.

And thanks for stopping by. I have my comment section working now.

Stephen Tremp

B. Miller said...

I had a good time with this movie. I've loved Tim Burton since I was a kid - Pee-Wee's Big Adventure was one of the movies I could quote, chapter and verse, from age 8 and it never stopped after that. I think he did a great job, but there was a bit of ho-hum, passe storytelling in the film.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Miller, I agree - this one din't zing like some of his others.

Creative Chronicler said...

Now I have to go rewatch Tron. What a classic. And did I miss sin City 2?