Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Alice in Wonderland

By Eric Maus

“Have you any idea why a raven is like a writing desk?”

   Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland(rated PG for violence and scary images) is a very spectacular film. This film is not the adaption of Lewis Carroll’s book onto the screen, however, it’s a movie that takes Carroll’s unique world, characters, and his ridiculously bizarre sense of style, and creates an entirely original, fresh, and ridiculous cinema experience.

    Meant to be a sort of sequel to Carroll’s original plot (if you can call it that), this movie begins with a 19 year old Alice, who is being unwillingly pushed into a marriage with the ugliest man alive. In an attempt to escape the engagement party, she follows a queer rabbit with a waistcoat and watch, and stumbles into a large hole.

  She finds herself in a strange and ridiculously beautiful world, called Underland. Abnormal creatures, such as talking flowers, floating cats, and the ferocious Bandersnatch inhabit the land, and they are ruled by the cruel Red Queen, who has a massive head and enjoys lopping off the heads of those who don’t share her unfortunate condition. Alice, with the help of characters such as the Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Dormouse, and the White Queen, sets out to defeat the Red Queen and her wicked servants, before they all ‘lose their heads’.

   This is totally a spectacle driven film. Every one knows that Tim Burton has a very unique, bizarre, and clever style, one that has pleased his audience again and again, in movies such as Nightmare Before Christmas, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Corpse Bride, and he definitely lives up to our expectations again here. In Alice in Wonderland, we are given an amazing world, filled with crisp colors, gnarly trees, towering castles, chessboard battlefields, and a mad tea party; if this world truly existed, I believe Lewis Carroll would like to live out the rest of his days here, if he weren’t dead already.  

   The dialogue would also have made Carroll proud; it’s ridiculous, clever, and hilarious. The cinematography is stellar, along with the film score by Danny Elfman. The plot, however, gets a bit messy towards the end. Although it starts off nicely, it begins to slide around as the third act climax approaches. That said, this detail is definitely not enough to ruin the movie.

   The acting is this film is ridiculously awesome. Mia Wasikowska plays as Alice, and completely makes the role her own. The amazing Johnny Depp plays the Mad Hatter, and, as always, creates for us a character we will never forget. This film also hosts many other famous actors such as Ann Hathaway, Michael Sheen, and Alan Rickman, but in my opinion, the best performance in this film belongs to Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. Her efforts in playing the bulbous headed tyrant were absolutely incredible.

   Many folks say this film supports a feminist agenda. I believe this is a bit of a stretch. Alice, who obviously is a girl, was the protagonist of the books, and just because she happens to be the hero of a movie that was based on a story that Burton enjoyed, doesn’t mean that this movie is all about girl power.

   What this film is really about, however, is something more profound. In the beginning of Alice’s adventures, she refuses to accept that the place where she has found herself is an actual place; she keeps telling herself it’s only a dream. Therefore, since it’s only a dream, she doesn’t have to take part in the troubles of the abused citizens of Underland. Everything is impossible, she says. Still, the Mad Hatter and the rest are constantly insisting, since it was prophesied in the Oraculum, that she will eventually slay the evil Jabberwocky with the Vorpul sword. After she is finally convinced that she really is in this bizarre place, she still refuses to believe that anything she can do will help. Again, she says, “This is impossible.” “Only if you believe it is,” responds the Mad Hatter. This movie encourages faith in the face of unbelief, determination over hopelessness. Just because the situation you’re placed in isn’t exactly your idea of the best day ever, isn’t an excuse for you to back down, and become passive.

   Another highlight of this movie is its depiction of Alice’s father. In the majority of most modern films, dads are the primary source of amusement; we’re encouraged to laugh at their blunders and stupidity. Alice’s father, although he passes away at the beginning of the film, is presented as her mentor, protector, and guide. He gives her a small bit of wisdom that she carries with her through the rest of the film. In the end, Alice takes on the character traits of her father, and not the greed and selfishness of the rest of her family.

   So, in conclusion, this film offers both morals and a visual treat. It also gives us exactly what Carroll did; a fun and ridiculous story. Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimbel in the wabe. All mimsy were the borogoves and the mome raths outgrabe. Believe me, spell check does not like most of those words.