Alice in Wonderland 3D

Image courtesy of selfserviceuk.files.wordpress.com

What: Film.
Director: Tim Burton.
Actors: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Alan Rickman.
Where: Holloway Odeon, London

Tim Burton has made the full transition from a quirky, inspirational, indie film auteur to superstar Hollywood director working with big egos and even bigger budgets. Big money special effects and box office names have replaced the dark, groundbreaking and individual film classics that originally pushed Burton to the forefront.

With money and profile comes the requirement for fame. It’s the way things roll but unfortunately in the case of Alice in Wonderland it means that you leave the cinema only with memories of good special effects and an even better cast but not the memory of a great story. There’s too much going on and too many familiar faces (and in this case, voices).

The best performances in this film are in the minor parts. Burton got it spot on when casting Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, Alan Rickman as Absolem and Timothy Spall as Bayard the bloodhound. Helena Bonham Carter, playing the Red Queen, produced a performance which seemed entirely based on Miranda Richardson’s Blackadder character, Queenie. Mixing things up and casting someone like Richardson in this role would be a breath of fresh air but Burton continues with the same casting choices we’ve seen so many times before.

Image courtesy of l.yimg.com

Johnny Depp produced his usual Burton led, above average performance and it’s certainly true that his acting skills are perfectly suited to the unusual characters that dominate Burton’s films. The disappointing and ridiculous dance at the end of the film was so clearly demanded by the big studios to keep the kids interested. However, this continuous Burton-Depp relationship seems too predictable and certainly detracts from the film plot. Both have too much talent to hide behind each other for any part of the remainder of their careers.

It’s so easy to say but Tim, it’s not money and celebrity that we want to see you involved with. You’re too good for it but it’s ok, we understand. A future box office flop could be the best thing that ever happened to you. It may push you back to your roots. The problems is, while the kids love you as much as they do, you may never see failure again.

Rating: 6/10
Comments: The minor roles and the 3D effects hold the latest Burton-Depp collaboration together.