Writer: Lai Swee Wei

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Watch this if you liked: “Alice In Wonderland” (1951)

Regrettably, Tim Burton has taken a fall down the rabbit hole with the reinvention of "Alice In Wonderland". Mixing in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass with some ideas of his own, Burton's story chronicles Alice's second trip to Underland (Alice misheard as 'Wonderland'), where the malevolent Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) took over the throne causing hard times for its inhabitants. She soon realises that she has to slay the Jabberwock once more through a war in order to save Underland.

It seemed like a great combination - Burton working on a Lewis Carroll classic, Johnny Depp brilliantly guised as the Mad Hatter and a 3D feature that entices you into the visionary world of Underland. Although it has stunning character features, fascinating creatures and outstanding actors, this picture somehow feels far more conventional than it should considering it's a Tim Burton movie. The story wasn't as captivating enough and it came across as though Burton was illustrating a film for Disney instead of delivering a Tim Burton movie under Disney.

Moreover, if you're viewing it in 3D, often at times the dull and melancholic atmosphere kills the effect and the scenic details were not that distinguishable. Frankly, the 3D feature hardly ever makes you feel as if you're a part of the experience with limited landscapes worth shouting about.

The characters were undoubtedly a thick contrast to your 1951 cartoon personalities and the most outstanding would have to be the Red Queen, posing a delightful comic relief to the story together with her younger sister the White Queen (beautifully executed by Anne Hathaway) and adorable fat boys, Tweedledee and Tweedledum ("Little Britain"'s Matt Lucas). Meanwhile, Mad Hatter's personality was mighty grim, wiping away all our happy thoughts of the oddball. However, we do get to spot Johnny Depp bust a move called the Futterwacken, a term used to describe the Underlanders' dance of unbridled joy - a dance craze inspired by Lewis Carroll. Meanwhile, the Mad Hatter commented that Alice (Mia Wasikowska) has lost her 'muchness' and this reviewer couldn't agree more.

"Alice in Wonderland" has its moments of delight and humour. However, you can't help but feel as though Burton has slightly lost his 'muchness' as well in delivering a truly wonderful story. But given the effort in the reinvention of the classic, fans would definitely not want to miss this overly hyped movie.

Cinema Online, 03 March 2010