This film can only be called a disappointment to anyone who loves the original Alice books. What should have been a masterful combination of two quirky creators' ideas turned into a generic plot with no real goal which completely misunderstands the work by giving it too much structure. Burton himself said he wanted to make the film because he wanted to make Alice in such a way that he could connect to it. Here's a thought: If you don't like or understand the original work, maybe you shouldn't be in charge of the adaptation.
But like I said, someone cared! There are genuinely good elements. The character designs have some brilliant touches- the Hatter is made to look mercury-poisoned, creating a visually interesting design that shows research into the origins of the original character. The Red Queen has a giant head, in a nice reference to Tenniel's illustrations. And the music, being Elfman, is rather good.
But the work loses sight of the madness and fun of the original work by dulling everything down with little purpose and turning it into a "kill the monster because prophecy" plot, all set in a warring-kingdoms story that nobody asked for. And I'm sorry, but someone really played fast and loose with the source for all the faithful touches. The character who by all accounts represents the Queen of Hearts is called the Red Queen, after the chess piece in the second book. The White Queen isn't at all related to her basis and could have been called anything. The Jabberwock is erroneously named for the poem's title, "Jabberwocky", and appears in this world despite being a fictional character within the story. And the Dormouse is a sprightly female warrior...what?
Also, who is Alice? Her performance gives us almost zero indication of her as a person. The Alice I remember is a curious and kind little girl who doesn't quite meet up to society's expectations, because she's just a kid. This Alice...well, she's defying her expectations, but this is through one moment of extreme rebellion, and she constantly denies Wonderland's very existence with all the emotional delivery of a wooden plank. I suppose she's supposed to mature and gain responsibility- "becoming an adult", but there's no real emotional development. She kills a dragon, and she's good to go...?
A much better "grown-up Alice" story would have her questioning an arranged marriage like this film, but then having her Wonderland reflect her fears and doubts about these specific expectations with different vignettes and characters. That's what the nonsense has always been about.
I don't know. It's harmless enough, but there needed to be a lot of overhaul to make it work. "Alice returns as an adult, as done by Tim Burton" could have been amazing. But it's really just like any other film. The sequel is worse, so I recommend you stay away. If you like it, I'm happy for you. But I can't stomach a work that goes so far out of its way to disappoint its audience.
Someone cared about this movie...where did they go?
This film can only be called a disappointment to anyone who loves the original Alice books. What should have been a masterful combination of two quirky creators' ideas turned into a generic plot with no real goal which completely misunderstands the work by giving it too much structure. Burton himself said he wanted to make the film because he wanted to make Alice in such a way that he could connect to it. Here's a thought: If you don't like or understand the original work, maybe you shouldn't be in charge of the adaptation.
But like I said, someone cared! There are genuinely good elements. The character designs have some brilliant touches- the Hatter is made to look mercury-poisoned, creating a visually interesting design that shows research into the origins of the original character. The Red Queen has a giant head, in a nice reference to Tenniel's illustrations. And the music, being Elfman, is rather good.
But the work loses sight of the madness and fun of the original work by dulling everything down with little purpose and turning it into a "kill the monster because prophecy" plot, all set in a warring-kingdoms story that nobody asked for. And I'm sorry, but someone really played fast and loose with the source for all the faithful touches. The character who by all accounts represents the Queen of Hearts is called the Red Queen, after the chess piece in the second book. The White Queen isn't at all related to her basis and could have been called anything. The Jabberwock is erroneously named for the poem's title, "Jabberwocky", and appears in this world despite being a fictional character within the story. And the Dormouse is a sprightly female warrior...what?
Also, who is Alice? Her performance gives us almost zero indication of her as a person. The Alice I remember is a curious and kind little girl who doesn't quite meet up to society's expectations, because she's just a kid. This Alice...well, she's defying her expectations, but this is through one moment of extreme rebellion, and she constantly denies Wonderland's very existence with all the emotional delivery of a wooden plank. I suppose she's supposed to mature and gain responsibility- "becoming an adult", but there's no real emotional development. She kills a dragon, and she's good to go...?
A much better "grown-up Alice" story would have her questioning an arranged marriage like this film, but then having her Wonderland reflect her fears and doubts about these specific expectations with different vignettes and characters. That's what the nonsense has always been about.
I don't know. It's harmless enough, but there needed to be a lot of overhaul to make it work. "Alice returns as an adult, as done by Tim Burton" could have been amazing. But it's really just like any other film. The sequel is worse, so I recommend you stay away. If you like it, I'm happy for you. But I can't stomach a work that goes so far out of its way to disappoint its audience.