Alice in Wonderland

Directed By: Tim Burton
Screenplay by: Linda Woolverton
Produced By: Richard D. Zanuck, Joe Roth Suzanne, Todd Jennifer Todd
Based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
Starring: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham, Carter Crispin, Glover Matt Lucas, Mia Wasikowska, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall
Edited By: Chris Lebenzon
Music By: Danny Elfman
Production Company: Walt Disney Pictures, Roth Films, The Zanuck Company, Team Todd
Release Date: February 25, 2010 (Odeon Leicester Square), March 5, 2010 (United States)

Plot: In 1871, 19-year-old Alice Kingsleigh is troubled by strange recurring dreams, mourning the death of her father, and fighting the stifling expectations of the society in which she lives. She receives an unwanted marriage proposal from Hamish Ascot at his father's garden party, where she spots a familiar white rabbit wearing a waistcoat and carrying a pocket watch. She follows it down a rabbit hole and shrinks after drinking from a bottle labeled 'Drink Me' (called Pishsalver), allowing her to enter the forest of a fantastical place called Underland. There she is greeted by the White Rabbit, a Dormouse, a Dodo, Talking Flowers, and identical twins Tweedledum and Tweedledee, who all apparently know her.

Alice asserts that she is dreaming, but learns from Absolem the Caterpillar that she is destined to slay the Jabberwocky and end the tyranny of the Red Queen. The group is ambushed by the ravenous Bandersnatch and the Red Queen's knights, led by the Knave of Hearts. All are captured except Alice, who escapes, and the Dormouse, who takes one of the Bandersnatch's eyes. The Knave informs the Red Queen of Alice's return and he is ordered to find her immediately.

The Cheshire Cat guides Alice to the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and the Dormouse's tea party. The Hatter explains that the Red Queen took over Underland, usurping her sister the White Queen, and that he joined the resistance after she destroyed his village and killed his family. The red knights seize the party and the Hatter saves Alice from capture by allowing himself to be seized. Alice is found by the Knave's Bloodhound who is allied with the resistance, who takes Alice to the Red Queen's castle, where she grows taller after eating a cake labeled 'Eat Me' (called Upelkuchen), infiltrating the castle as a courtier named "Um".

Alice learns that the vorpal sword, the only weapon capable of killing the Jabberwocky, is locked inside the Bandersnatch's den. She rebuffs advances from the Knave, leading the jealous Red Queen to demand her beheading. Alice obtains the sword and returns the Bandersnatch's eye, who gratefully helps her escape the castle and delivers her to the White Queen, who gives Alice a potion that returns her normal size. The Cheshire Cat uses his shapeshifting powers to save the Mad Hatter, who incites rebellion amongst the Queen's subjects before escaping. Absolem finally gets Alice to realize Underland is real, evoking memories of her visit when she was a little girl and called it "Wonderland", and advises her to fight the Jabberwocky just before completing his transformation into a pupa.

Review: In this adaptation of the classic tale of wonder and amazing landscapes Tim Burton creates an American dark fantasy. The film stars MIA Waskowsk in the title role as young Alice. Along with stellar cast of splendid actors and actresses. In this rendition we find Alice Kingsleigh, a nineteen year old who accidentally falls down the rabbit hole. Where she helps restore the White Queen to her rightful throne with the help of the Mad Hatter. Alice discovers that she is the only one who can slay the dreaded Jabberwocky. A fiercesome dragon-like creature controlled by the Red Queen.

This new reimagining of the original story is fascinating in what it highlights and develops. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As it was like watching the story for the first time. MIA Waskowsk plays the part of Alice with a certain aplomb. It was also fun to watch the charismatic Johnny Depp play the role of the Mad Hatter. I could see his quirky personality just beneath the Hatters mantle of creative madness. Other top line acting names such as Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and the late Alan Rickman all shine in their roles. Yes this is a feel good movie. Even as a darker version of the original it still shines brightly.

Well worth watching on a Saturday night with a good supply of popcorn.

M J Flack