Curiouser & Curiouser

…lines most memorable from the Lewis Carrol classic and revisited and evolved in a whimsical depiction of the classic fable portrayed through Tim Burton’s eyes in Alice in Wonderland. I had not much hope for Tim Burton’s take, as I was worried that he, like so many other directors before, had tried to reinvent an already used idea that was perfect as is. That was not the case as Burton took a modernized spin with a maladjusted Alice, shaped a vivid revival of characters, and put a twist on the ever present themes of both the original Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.

The story begins with Alice lying in a colorless life with residual tell-tale pains that leave her seemingly crazy with bouts unworldly to those around her. As she drifts from choice and maturity, she discovers the necessity of her being in a world only once imagined in a reoccurring dream. The story plays on introducing and revisiting characters from the classic, but styled in, a slightly dark and mazy manner as Burton does best. Thus reminding the viewer that although the story may have been done before, you probably have never seen it with this rapport.

Burton’s imagery extends to every corner of the screen as small as a grinning cats coat to as detailed as a scene set against a crystalline sky with lines of linen across a spotted beast. Constant wardrobe malfunctions lead Alice through an array of clothing options; fashionable amusements give reason for style goers to be truly charmed. The wardrobe craft begins in a quiet and classical interpretation of a 19th century peasant gown, but eventually transitions through a series of chiffon, satin, organza, and occasionally toole, off the shoulder layered treasures. Costumes alone open up a dialogue of Burton’s silent interpretation of the madness and beauty of Wonderland.

The story was equally entertaining with Helena Bonham Carter’s humorously wicked depiction of the wretched Red Queen, Anne Hathaway as the overly pleasant White, and Johnny Depp as the nutty, rage worthy, heartfelt confidant and hatter to the confused and somewhat lost protagonist – Alice, played by Mia Wasikowska. The cast fills out with an abundance of delicious little delights giving animals not only the ability to speak, but vary in attitude and class, as they are nothing more than the grieved slaves to the Red Queen’s whim. The animal cast includes timid basset hounds, a spunky door mouse, an “off the cracker” hare to a prophetic blue caterpillar.

My only discrepancy toward the film was a tweaked out dance series with an unfortunate rushed ending. Leaving the viewer hoping to believe the enlightenment achieved by the end, but stifled by the stiff rush of a 2 hour limit. However if you can overlook these few flaws, I’d say you were in for quite a trippy treat.