ironhorse_iv
2010's 'Alice in Wonderland' is a film that, on paper, would seem perfect for director Tim Burton's dark creepy unique skills. After all, the original novel of the same name by author, Lewis Carroll is known for its dark humor, and insane tone, but the main reason why I dislike this movie, so much, is because, the screenwriter of this film, Linda Woolverton try to put logic in a story that needs no logic. 'Alice in Wonderland' isn't about an ancient prophecy about a grown woman, Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) ending the Red Queen's reign (Helena Bonham Carter) and restoring order to the world of Underland, with war and battle. No, it's about a child's journey into the world of the absurd and surreal, and learning that life is not rational. Most adaptations follows these guidelines, but somehow director Tim Burton's version, wanted to be different and verve off, drastically. Sadly, the changes, they made, weren't good at all. First off, when did Wonderland turn into Underland? I get, that the land is supposedly beneath a rabbit hole in the ground, but since the movie share more relates to the novel 'Through the Looking-Glass' than 'Alice: Adventures in Wonderland', shouldn't it, be call 'Mirrorland'? Or better yeah, 'Imagineland' since its coming from the dark side of Alice's mind. Anyways, no matter, how much logic, they try to put into naming this place. Carroll never call, his world, anything else, than Wonderland. It's always been Wonderland. So, why did they add this!? It's so pointless. Also, when did that world had a 'Chosen One' war plot as if it's 'Lord of the Ring' or 'Narnia'?! Isn't it weird that nobody else, step up and kill the queen, already, seeing how the land is full of magical cakes and liquor that change your size? Why hasn't that happen, yet!? Even the villain, doesn't match the source material, as the Red Queen is not the same person as the Queen of Hearts. If anything, it's should be a war against math, since Carroll hatred that. Second off, they insult both the fans of the 1951's Disney animated version and the Carroll's purists, by having deceitful marketing. By having a grown adult, Alice returning back to Wonderland, instead of a kid discovery the world for the first time. It made this film, technically a sequel. Yet, Disney still call the movie with its originally name, leading much confusement. Honestly, a story like this, could had work, if they went with a different title and wrote Alice as a adult who must reclaims her youthful spirit in order to save the world. Similar in the way, 1991's film 'Hook' did with its source material with 'Peter Pan'. Instead, the movie has Alice, still childish in her adult years fighting against the pressures of conforming to 19th century aristocratic society's expectations. This is fine and dandy, if the moral of story is trying to tell the audience to be mature adults and learn to take responsibility, but no that's isn't what, the screenwriter was going for. The film instead, has Alice still going against her Victorian lifestyle straight in the end; even after the fact that she obey Wonderland's rules, with her destiny on killing the dragon-like creature, the Jabberwocky (Voiced by Christopher Lee), leading to little to no character development. I know, Woolverton wanted to make Alice into a stronger will person, that empower women to choose her own path, but this story arch goes nowhere. Couldn't they wrote Alice, a little better!? Mia Waskowska's performance doesn't help as well. She seem very disconnected from everything that is happening on screen. She seem so bland and boring. The worst of this, had to be the scenes, where Alice is supposed to go through a variety of absurd physical changes that are to represent the discomfort of having a period and going through puberty. Hints the metaphors with the food and drinks. Yet, Mia's look so disinterested. We see very little traumatic, frustration, or even sadness, from her. Very bad acting. Made me wish, for a talent child actress instead. The only reason, why I can see why they change this, is because of Lewis Carroll's questionable relationship with little girls. A lot of historians think that he might had been a paedophile, but still had Alice be a kid in this film. After all, this is originally supposed to be, a kid's movie. Despite that, the supporting cast were a little more memorable in their performance, even if they were chewing up the scenery with how over the top, they were. Still, it's a bit tiresome and repetitive, to see actors Johnny Depp and actress, Helena Bonham Carter in yet, another Burton movie doing their shtick. Another problem with this film, is how ugly looking the visuals look. I hate how much time, they spent in Alice's Victorian era life. Everything there is so gloomy. It really sucks the fun out of the film. Wonderland in 3D is not any better. Although, the visuals of that world does have some beautiful moment, for the most part, the faded colors added to the melancholy tone of the world at war theme. It's not that good. Plus, it looks so blurry. I'm sorry, but the CGI also looks very fake-looking. They all have that artificial quality that looks even worse in the 2D version of the film. It's sad, because Burton was once-known for his stunning cool sets and unique realistic character design. Another disappointment in this film was lack of music. Where was the 'happy unbirthday' song? Where is any song from the source material!? Clearly, there wasn't much heart, put into that department as even Danny Elfman's overall score sounds pretty generic and plain as well. Despite these qualms, the film made a lot of money, proving once again that Burton knows how to please the majority of his audience. However, not me. I really hate this film and its 2016 sequel. Can't recommended.
