So... I've been waiting for about a year for this movie to come out and have been prepping for it for the last couple of months. I read the original Alice In Wonderland/Through the Looking Class as well as a few spin-off "parodies". I rushed out and pre-ordered the Almost Alice CD as soon as I heard about it and have listened to it in the car daily since I picked it up three days prior to the movie release. As you can see, I was REALLY pumped for this movie!With that said... I think I got my hopes up TOO high.
Yes, I really enjoyed the movie. Yes, Johnny was great as usual. But... it just wasn't as good as I had hoped.
I hate to admit it, but my favorite character in the movie was actually the Cheshire Cat rather than the Mad Hatter, though the Mad Hatter was probably my second. The cat just cracked me up every time he came on screen. The Mad Hatter character was very creepy at times and hilarious at others. Definitely a great role for Johnny, but not one of his best I don't think. I much prefer him pretending to be Charlie Chaplin in Benny & Joon, Captain Jack in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, or... for a more bizarre role... Willy Wonka in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. This character just wasn't AS PERFECT for him as some of the others I mentioned.
The storyline for the movie was great though and I enjoyed the specific references that were made back to the original story by Lewis Carroll. The movie was around two hours long, but it didn't feel long at all. It was fast-paced and full of action from the start.
The girl playing Alice did a fabulous role in the movie as well. And as far as the Caterpillar goes... well, Alan Rickman always does a great job, though every movie I hear his voice in I picture Professor Snape still. LOL!
So all in all... a great movie! Though not sure it matters whether you see it in 3D or not because I didn't see where the 3D side of it was "all that". One of the trailers shown in 3D I thought was cooler when it came to the 3D effects. For fans of Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton, or Johnny Depp... this is still a must-see film. I will also buy the DVD once it comes out. It just wasn't as good as I'd hoped.
On a side note, for those curious about taking their little ones to see it.... There are some somewhat scary scenes for young kids. I think if the kid(s) in question don't mind a few "scary monsters" or some slightly gory scenes (gory may not be the word I'm looking for here, but "cringe-worthy" anyway...) then they'll be fine with the movie. (And Laura... I think Gwynn may handle the movie better than you *grin*)
Now I'm just waiting for the next Burton/Depp movie... DARK SHADOWS!!!
There ya have it... my opinion... and spoiler free! :)
I agree with you. I loved the Cheshire Cat too but still think Alice was the best in the movie. The Mad Hatter was maybe 3rd or 4th. I think Helena Bonham Carter did marvelous as the Red Queen. And I didn't like Anne Hatheway as the White Queen. I couldn't tell if she was trying to be the Glinda from the Wizard of Oz or what. Plus her eyebrows creeped me out.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't as impressed with Helena Bonham Carter in this movie as several of the other roles I've seen her in. Anne Hatheway was okay, but not fabulous. Johnny's character disturbed me with his ever-changing eye color and also the little dark marks underneath his eyes. He just was dang creepy at times!!! I also though the whole "big features" thing tied to the Red Queen was odd, but I guess that was in there for humor... very strange humor though.
ReplyDeleteI thought Helena Bonham Carter was great as the Red Queen and didn't care for Anne Hatheway's portrayal of the White Queen. Sandanz: I think you were overhyped. Of course, I rarely go see a movie in the theater. Gwynn will definitely do better than her mother!! :) She is one tough kid. There were young kids in our showing but I didn't notice them after the movie started. I'd like to go see it again in Digital 3D to see how it compared to the IMAX 3D.
ReplyDeleteI saw an interview with Anne Hathaway last week and the character seemed pretty. She says its kind of a combination of Glinda, The Corpse Bride, and Tim Burtons favorite creepy on tv chef.
ReplyDeleteGrandGwynn would handle creepy things better than her grammaw.....no idea where she gets this trait..definitely not from her mom's side of the family....lol.
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