Down the rabbit hole

Alice in Wonderland
(Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bohemn Carter, Anne Hathaway, Alan Rickman, Matt Lucas)

So it begins, and in a fitting opener, down the rabbit hole we go. The latest Alice in Wonderland offering by Disney is one to be plagued with mixed reviews. It's not nessecarily one that you will either love or hate but it is one that will split opinions.

On paper it seems like a match made in heaven; the twisted stylings of Tim Burton and the literary nonense of Lewis Carroll. On film, however, it's just not quite what you expected, not quite enough nonsense or not quite enough darkness.

The film is set several years after the original books and combines characters and elements from both 'Alice's adventure in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass.' The story follows 19 year old Alice's (Mia Wasikowska) journey back into Wonderland and her destined battle with the Jabberwock/y (voiced by Christopher Lee). The story is sadly, quite linear. It's a girl-out-to-save-the-world-story with some debate between fate and free will thrown in for good measure.

Alice feels a bit flat, but given that her character has always been played as the straight man to the madness it is quite fitting. Helena Bohemn Carter makes for a fun and enjoyably evil, bobbleheaded Red Queen. Anne Hathaway is equally entertaining as the White Queen. Johnny Depp however, isn't all you expect, his depiction of the Mad Hatter is patchy, overusing little quirks to protray madness as opposed to fleshing out a genuine character.

In saying that though, his costume is amazing as is the overall costume and set design of the film. It's what you expect from Tim Burton, all spirals, blacks and white makeup but it is comfortably endearing.

In the end, it's probably not going to be anyones favourite film but if you were willing to watch the *ahem* highly original *cough cough* Avatar, then you should watch this as well, as it is a similarly delightful visual treat.

As a final note, the March Hare proved to be an absolute joy to watch. He's just an adorable bundle of frenetic engery and twitching.

4 out of 5 Carrots

•Just Jd•