Alice in Wonderland;

*warning: this post may contain spoilers*

So, Saturday afternoon we celebrated Angela's 17th birthday (who I'd like to wish happy b'day to again). We had quite the ball. Lindt cafe, photos, opening of presents... but the most magical thing about yesterday was not only seeing Angela so happy, but also undoubtedly Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland'. Believe me when I say that this film was a ride of flamboyant, unadulterated and insane fun!

Now, I am very well aware of the fact that this film is quite heavily criticised and I can see where you're all coming from. All the critics say that 3D took all the glory, it focused too much on the visual effects, the script was horrible, Mia Wasikowska was exceedingly wooden and it was just lacking overall substance. Although I do agree with the fact that the screenplay was a bit weak at times and that some of Mia's lines were a bit forced (I still couldn't help but love her), I however slightly disagree with all the other complaints. The overrated use of 3D, in my opinion, did not add anything new to the film for me and I believe that I would have loved it equally had I seen it without the slightly irritating Bandersnatch spit flying at me.

I agree that the film had an abundance of visual effects (which made this film a CGI milestone), but you can't argue that the film relied on visuals too much. Dude, Lewis Carroll's original story was, pretty much, all imagery and I think that Burton did do the right thing through using such astonishing special effects. No one complained about the animated visuals in the 1951 Disney version, so why this one?

Okay, finally, do I think that it lacked overall substance? Quite franky, I think that story-wise, it was missing something. I just felt like not much happened throughout the duration of the story and that Alice's adventure ended a bit too soon, but it still wasn't enough to dissatisfy me.

Oh and I'd just like to say to all those who claim that they hated the film because it wasn't what they expected: Heck, it wasn't what I expected either (despite the fact that I had seen the trailer 50 billion times)! For example, I went in there seceretly knowing that our dear Alice was going to get hit on, but I thought it was going to be done by the Mad Hatter... NOT THE KNAVE OF FUCKING HEARTS! Crispin Glover, as much as I idolise you, that was just damn... (negatively) creepy ("I like... largeness").

But, yeah. In conclusion, I really liked this film. There were, however, some aspects that almost ruined it for me. These include:

- The 'Futterwhacking' (Tim Burton, what were you thinking?)
- Anne Hathaway's impersonation of Jack Sparrow
- Some of the lines
and
- The ending

But, where there is negativity there is usually (at least a bit of) positivity. Aspects of the film which won my love included:

- Johnny Depp randomly putting on a Scottish brogue
- Helena Bonham-Carter's role as The Red Queen
- Stephen Fry as THE CHESIRE CAT (I want that fucker for Christmas)
- The uh-mazing visual effects
- Danny Elfman's ingenious music
- THE COSTUMES!
and
- The Jabberwocky who swallowed Christopher Lee

But overall, it satisfied me. It really did please me to the point where I actaully went and saw it again with my mum and brother. They also quite liked it, except they claimed that it wasn't Burton's best... Well, duh. With films like Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish and Sleepy Hollow of course this isn't his best yet... but it was lovely to watch and the visuals were deffs Tim Burtonesque... The Story, on the other hand... yeah, I think Disney may have had some part in that, but that's just my opinion.

Anyway, I give it about 4 out of 5, just because it's mainly a fun film which doesn't require you to use your mind (thank Christ). On the contrary, I think that you have to have a few screws loose to really appreciate the imagery and nature of this film... I certainly did.

Lewis Carroll, I believe, would be quite happy with the manner in which Burton has envisioned his Wonderland. Not sure what he'd think about the fluffy story, but I do reckon that he'd simply adore the set and the adaptation of his characters.


Okay, so go see it with a bunch of friends or possibly your family, and that is it from me. Over and out, betches.
Nadine xx

P.s. Thank you to Grace Field for the photo. =)