Movie Review

If you asked me who I would hire to direct one of the most bizarre, classic stories, “Alice in Wonderland” in a major motion picture, I couldn’t think of anyone other than Tim Burton.

He is the creative director who did “Nightmare before Christmas” and “Edward Scissorhands,” and he put his signature mark on this new version of “Alice,” one of the most unique stories of our time.

When you think of Tim Burton and Alice, you have to think also of Johnny Depp. He plays a major part in the film as the bizarre Mad Hatter. This is the sixth movie they have done together.

In this sequel to the original “Alice in Wonderland,” which was done by Disney in a cartoon version in 1951, Alice is now grown up, and played by Mia Wasikowska, who was in “Amelia” and “I Love Sarah Jane.”

Alice had been convincing herself since she was a child that the last time she was at Wonderland, it was all a dream, that it wasn’t real, but it haunted her.

I’d be haunted, too, if I’d been lost in a world of the insane.

After her father, in whom she had confided, died, she is forced into marriage with Lord Ascot. Her soon to be mother-in-law, who is worst than the Red Queen herself, is telling Alice the expectations of being his wife, when Alice notices a rabbit with a stopwatch. She runs after him, leaving Lord Ascot without an answer. In her defense, a root canal would be better than being with that guy.

While running after the same rabbit that she had followed as a child, she fell into the same hole, back into the world she thought was a nightmare.

While in denial of the brutal reality of what was happening in the world of Wonderland, Alice goes on a personal journey to figure out who she really is, what is her purpose in life, and how to overcome her fears, while at the same time saving the citizens of Wonderland.

What worked in the film was Helena Carter, also in the Harry Potter films and in “Sweeny Todd,” who played the dumb-witted, powerful Red Queen, who is very fun to watch.

The film stalled a bit mid way through. Sister to the Red Queen, Ann Hathaway plays the White Queen over dramatic and, frankly, too loopy.

This film was not as dark as I expected.

It’s about being strong, finding your self, and about being open to adventure, even if it isn’t what your family and friends have in mind.

It isn’t perfect, but is very entertaining.

“Alice in Wonderland,” inspired me, and reminded me of a quote by Robert Frost, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and it made all the difference.”

This film should be seen by all. If you can’t see it in 3D, the regular screen will work just fine.

Hans Eskelsen grew up in Redmond, spent two years in Honduras for a church mission, and on return joined his family in Stanwood, then Kayak Point. A resident of Stanwood for the last nine years, he currently works for Thomas & Associates Insurance as an insurance agent and personal lines manager. He is married and has a 4-year-old daughter named Jazmin. He has a bachelor’s degree from University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing a master’s degree. For three years, he has been writing movie reviews for Crankleft, which was started by entrepreneurs who share a love for movies. A co-creator of Crankleft, his brother is with Warner Brothers and just finished his most recent movie as associate producer of “Sherlock Holmes.” Eskelson’s mission is to share his love for the art of cinema with the Stanwood and Camano region.
If you liked this film, I
recommend:
“Hook” 1991
“The Hobbit” 1977
“The Chronicles
of Narnia” 2005
DVD of the Week for
Children:
“Toy Story” 1995
DVD of the Week for
Adults:
“Silverado” 1985
DVD of the Week for
Movie Addicts:
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Golden Classic Pick of
the Week:
The Apartment (1960)