Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowska
With Alice having tumbled into Wonderland several times since 1951, there was a lot of pressure on Tim Burton to put an interesting twist on Lewis Carroll’s famous tale.
Visually, that’s exactly what he does with Alice In Wonderland, delivering an eye-popping spectacle that is further enhanced by 3D goggles.
Those filmgoers who seek some sort of emotional resonance will be disappointed, though, with few of the revamped characters leaving a lasting impression.
Australian newcomer Wasikowska is decent enough as Alice, who, while running away from her arranged marriage, falls into a strange realm occupied by the Mad Hatter (Depp) and the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry).
Things only really kick into gear with the appearance of the bobble-headed Red Queen (a scene-stealing Bonham Carter) who is waging a war against her sister the White Queen (Anne Hathaway).
While the storyline revolves around Alice, the film has been designed to show off Depp’s mad-cap skill.
And while the actor does have his moments he is constantly upstaged by the CGI creations around him, in particular the Cheshire Cat – the perfect marriage of special effects and vocal talent.
Good for: Those partial to a bit of psychedelica.
3/5
PIERRE DE VILLIERS
