Alice In Wonderland (2010) Review

When i heard Tim Burton would be directing a new version of Alice In Wonderland, I thought it made pretty good sense! There is so many version of the Lewis Caroll books been adapted into films and TV programmes there isn't really a definitive version, most are introduced to the story through the classic Disney version but I don't think any new adaptations would ruin it. One version that springs to mind no one noticed because it changed so much and the called it 'The Matrix'. Anyhow...





as this film was getting nearer and nearer to release more people had something to say about this in regards to Burton's previous remakes/adaptations. The most infamous ones are Charlie and The chocolate factory which was seen as awful compared to the Gene Wilder version (agreed) and Planet Of the Apes which turned out to be a bit of a flop! But some of Burton's adaptations have been quite good, people forget he directed two awesome Batman films, and gave the franchise that dark edge it maintains today. I was hoping this wasn't as bad as Charlie. Then i heard it was kind of a sequel which got me thinking 'How can you make a sequel to a film that has been made so many times?' This kind of becomes clear at the beginning of the film as we see Alice waking form her original 'dream' of Wonderland, then we skip 13 years ahead. So its kind of a 'return To Oz' kind of sequel. Tim Burton must of been a fan of Return To Oz because there are many comparisons to make!





We see the 19 year old Alice plunge back into wonderland (or 'Under land' as it is now known, not Sunderland). And she doesn't remember it as she drinks the shrink-piss potion and eats the appleshit cake (or that's what it sounds like). The characters form her first visit (White rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Tweedle Dee/Tweedle Dum) think they have the 'wrong' Alice because she cant remember any of it. She enters Wonderland and it is run-down and almost post-apocalyptic (again like Return To Oz). We are introduced to the characters, and if your British you will recognise the voices from a night of telly! we have Peggy from Eastenders (Barbara Windsor) as the mouse, the bloke off QI (Stephen Fry) as the Cheshire Cat, the bloke off the Fast Show (Paul Whitehouse) as Mad March Hare and George dawes off Shooting Stars (Matt Lucas) as Tweedle dee/Dum. All great performances (well apart from that annoying mouse) from all respectfully. Then we have Burton's Mrs, Helena Bonham Carter, as the Red Queen - very similar to Queeny off Blackadder II. And also the guy off Nightmare On Elm Street as Mad Hatter, no not Freddy Kruger! Jonny Depp durr! (who was also on Fast Show funnily enough).

We learn The Hatter is actually quite sweet and kind but has an angry (and for some reason Scottish) side. i have to say i giggled at the Scottish accent. We are reminded The hatter may never Fuddewacken again unless the Red queen is usurped! What? no more Fudderwacken? but i love fudderwacken! Tough! no Fudderwacken for you! So we cannot see the epic dance known as fudderwacken unless this film has a happy ending. Keeping in mind this is a Disney film. only way this Fudderwacken will be seen is if Alice kills the Jabberwocky! Nothing to do with Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam though.

This film is pretty much very entertaining for kids, especially older ones and captures that dark Gothic fantasy feel of the myth and magic films i grew up with in the 80s and 90s like Laberynth, Legend and Return To Oz (i should donate to charity every time i mention that film int his review). Tim Burton has surpassed himself after a string of pretty much rubbish since Ed Wood (With exceptions of Corpse Bride and perhaps Sweeney Todd in some ways). Keep in mind i saw it in 2D and would like to see it in 3D sometime soon as i imagine most the scene would look more lush in IMAX 3D. I can imagine The Jabberwocky to be shit-scary in 3D.It's voiced by Christopher Lee (Dracula and Lord Doku to most of us) already and screams like Godzilla (provided by the legend that is Frank Welker, yeah that's right- Megatron!) hell a Jabberwocky spin off wouldn't go a miss!

and yes the Fudderwacken is worth waiting for, especially if your a fan of The Mighty Boosh.

Definatly see this if your a fan of Tim Burton, fantasy films,Disney, the Boosh, dragon-y films, video games anything fantastical really

7/10