If you didn't have a chance to read the book or see the movie as a child, here's a brief synopsis of the original Alice in Wonderland story. Alice is a 7 year old girl who falls down a giant hole after following a talking rabbit. She ends up in a place called "Wonderland" and meets all sorts of strange people, like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, talking flowers, a wise caterpillar, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Queen of Hearts, and many others. She overcomes many obstacles and helps some of these characters along the way. At the end, she realizes it was all a dream and goes on to live a 'wonderful' life.
In the new movie, Alice is 19 years old and ready to be married off to a bug of a man, Hamish. The White Rabbit appears just in time for Alice to take "a moment" to consider this proposal. Down the rabbit hole Alice goes. Only this time it's different. Wonderland, or Underland as it is actually called, is in trouble. The Red Queen has taken her sister's throne and evilly reigns over Underland. And, according to an oracle scroll, only Alice can save Underland. Will Alice discover her "muchness", as the Hatter calls it, in time to defeat the Red Queen?
Creating Wonderland
Tim Burton has a unique and extraordinary way of bringing the weird and wild to life. In Wonderland, he creates a world of bright colors, unique shapes and contrasting locales that engage all the senses. While describing it in writing cannot compare to seeing it on-screen, this should give you a general idea of the wonderment in store for your journey to Wonderland.
Entrance at Wonderland. The minute Alice crosses through the door into Underland, she knows this place is something almost beyond which she could imagine. Blossoms of pink, purple, blue, and yellow billow around her as she walks down the stone steps while dragon and horseflies (literally miniature dragons and horses with wings) buzz past. Shortly she comes upon the Tweedles, the White Rabbit, talking flowers, and Absulum, a wickedly wise blue earthworm.
The Red Queen's Castle. Every bit as dark and strange as the Red Queen herself, the castle is also large and foreboding. Its shape is fairly standard, though accesorized with buttresses and spires shaped like hearts. The rooms within the castle are lavishly decorated with reds, blacks, and whites and within the castle grounds are lush green gardens in which the queen can play croquet. As the queen likes hearts, the decor is overflowing with them, including the queen's head. The castle is surrounded by a dark, disgusting moat of death, which is graphically accurate and creepy.
The detail put into each scene is so multitudinous that it would be difficult to accurately describe it all. The technology Burton used brings to life some of the most incredible images you never thought possible.
For Your Viewing Pleasure
All the actors in every Tim Burton movie turn out impeccable performances and this movie is no exception. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter's dedication to perfection solidify this well-rounded cast. New comer Mia Wasikowska IS Alice in every way. Anne Hathaway and Crispin Glover, playing The White Queen and Stayne, respectively, use their unique acting talents to put forth superlative supporting performances. This cast truly gives the movie its spirit.
The format this movie is presented in--Digital 3D--greatly enhances the story as well. If your city or one near you has an Imax theater, it's best to see it there. While the regular 3D is still phenomenal, the Imax engages you in a way that a regular theater simply can't. All in all, if you like fantasy, amazing effects, and Tim Burton, then Alice in Wonderland is a must see!
Julie Keenan - Julie has studied Journalism and recently received her BA in Linguistics and Psychology.
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