Depp, Carter shine in Burton's Alice in Wonderland
Thursday, March 18, 2010
12:39 PM
Labels: A and E , Alice , Burton , Carter , Depp , Laurie , Torres , Wonderland , 0 comments
Labels: A and E , Alice , Burton , Carter , Depp , Laurie , Torres , Wonderland , 0 comments
Laurie Torres
Staff Writer
Punctuality is a key trait of successful students. Don’t be late for work, don’t be late for class, but most importantly, don’t be late for a very important date with Alice in Wonderland.
While it is understood that there can only be so many renditions of a story before an audience gets bored, Tim Burton reinvents the classic childhood tale in a refreshingly unexpected way.
While the film appeals to a general audience, enthusiasts of the Lewis Carroll novel will certainly appreciate the inclusion of usually neglected characters such as Dormouse, the White Queen, and the terrifying Jabberwocky.
The plot is solid and is told to the audience in at a good pace, neither going too fast and losing the audience in a plethora of complexities. Alice finds herself in Wonderland a second time.
Instead of incorporating themes of homesickness and coming of age, Burton focuses on the darker themes like love, fear, neglect and abandonment.
Burton’s typically dark and gothic style is featured generously throughout the film. Don’t be surprised to find that talking animals and lush plant life are abundant. The visual organization and design of the film are quite pleasing and successfully capture the fantastic and unpredictable nature of Wonderland, from the desolate wasteland of what was once the White Queen’s dominion, to the mushrooms of the omniscient and wise Caterpillar, voiced by Alan Rickman.
More fitting than the appearance is the soundtrack of the film. Quirky, suspenseful and absolutely delightful, Danny Elfman’s composition add to the ethereal environment of Wonderland and keeps the film moving along.
The casting of the film was spot on. From Helena Bonham Carter’s tyrannical Red Queen to Johnny Depp’s whimsical Mad Hatter. Newcomer Mia Wasikowska plays a convincing Alice, neither appearing as a lost naiveté dropped into a world of nonsense, nor as an overzealous, overanxious young woman determined to make sense of it all.
Anne Hathaway’s wispy White Queen at first appears annoying and unnecessarily delicate and demure, but when viewed against the short-tempered and quick-tongued Red Queen, provides a good balance and contrast.
While fond of playing eccentric characters, Depp makes an endearing Hatter, giving a surprisingly poignant performance as a loyal subject of the White Queen and friend to Alice.
Carter, on the other hand, had quite a different task in playing the superficial and vindictive Red Queen. At first glance, the shallow demeanor puts off the audience and establishes her role as the villain. However as the film progresses a new dimension to the otherwise flat Red Queen is added as she reveals a more lonely nature.
Surprisingly, there are few laughs to be found while watching the film. The dialogue is witty and straight to the point, keeping the audience attentive to the plot.
If a book can be considered a good read, then a film can be considered a good viewing – which is what this film is. Visual appeal combined with a good story makes for a good time. Having good actors doesn’t hurt either, so whatever the reason is for seeing Alice in Wonderland, just keep in mind it came highly recommended.
Punctuality is a key trait of successful students. Don’t be late for work, don’t be late for class, but most importantly, don’t be late for a very important date with Alice in Wonderland.
While it is understood that there can only be so many renditions of a story before an audience gets bored, Tim Burton reinvents the classic childhood tale in a refreshingly unexpected way.
While the film appeals to a general audience, enthusiasts of the Lewis Carroll novel will certainly appreciate the inclusion of usually neglected characters such as Dormouse, the White Queen, and the terrifying Jabberwocky.
The plot is solid and is told to the audience in at a good pace, neither going too fast and losing the audience in a plethora of complexities. Alice finds herself in Wonderland a second time.
Instead of incorporating themes of homesickness and coming of age, Burton focuses on the darker themes like love, fear, neglect and abandonment.
Burton’s typically dark and gothic style is featured generously throughout the film. Don’t be surprised to find that talking animals and lush plant life are abundant. The visual organization and design of the film are quite pleasing and successfully capture the fantastic and unpredictable nature of Wonderland, from the desolate wasteland of what was once the White Queen’s dominion, to the mushrooms of the omniscient and wise Caterpillar, voiced by Alan Rickman.
More fitting than the appearance is the soundtrack of the film. Quirky, suspenseful and absolutely delightful, Danny Elfman’s composition add to the ethereal environment of Wonderland and keeps the film moving along.
The casting of the film was spot on. From Helena Bonham Carter’s tyrannical Red Queen to Johnny Depp’s whimsical Mad Hatter. Newcomer Mia Wasikowska plays a convincing Alice, neither appearing as a lost naiveté dropped into a world of nonsense, nor as an overzealous, overanxious young woman determined to make sense of it all.
Anne Hathaway’s wispy White Queen at first appears annoying and unnecessarily delicate and demure, but when viewed against the short-tempered and quick-tongued Red Queen, provides a good balance and contrast.
While fond of playing eccentric characters, Depp makes an endearing Hatter, giving a surprisingly poignant performance as a loyal subject of the White Queen and friend to Alice.
Carter, on the other hand, had quite a different task in playing the superficial and vindictive Red Queen. At first glance, the shallow demeanor puts off the audience and establishes her role as the villain. However as the film progresses a new dimension to the otherwise flat Red Queen is added as she reveals a more lonely nature.
Surprisingly, there are few laughs to be found while watching the film. The dialogue is witty and straight to the point, keeping the audience attentive to the plot.
If a book can be considered a good read, then a film can be considered a good viewing – which is what this film is. Visual appeal combined with a good story makes for a good time. Having good actors doesn’t hurt either, so whatever the reason is for seeing Alice in Wonderland, just keep in mind it came highly recommended.
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