After my blog post about just how traumatised ‘Up’ left me (DEVASTATED, utterly devastated!), I did wonder if I could ever cope with another Disney film. But clearly the wonderful Kerry was wise in her choice of sending me ‘Alice in Wonderland’ to review. I mean Johnny Depp in a ginger wig, what more could any girl ask for…
The story goes that you’re invited to tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice, but unlike the original Disney animated version, Tim Burton is offering an imaginative new twist. Alice (Mia Wasikowska), in this version, is now 19 years old (and a bit of a feminist) and returning to the world she first entered as a child. It’s all about destiny and self-discovery and it is utterly Tim Burton. We all LOVED it.
For me, this film was so good because it is visually perfect and the characters were all truly extraordinary. I mean, look at the cast - there’s the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), Tweedledum and Tweedledee (Matt Lucas), the Dormouse (Barbara Windsor), the Blue Caterpillar (Alan Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (the delicious Stephen Fry), and so many more!
We were sent the Alice in Wonderland Combi Blu-ray Pack, which is perfect as Littlest can watch the Blu-ray version at home and keep the DVD version at nanny’s house (for ‘emergencies’, whatever they might be!). Personally I prefer the Blu-ray version. The colours are stunning, vivid, dramatic and really breathtaking in parts. The sound is simply sharper. I have heard that the 3D version was stunning too, but I don’t think that has transferred to Blu-ray yet. The Blu-ray special features are less than on previous Blu-ray discs, but still top class in quality. The Mad Hatter, Finding Alice and Effecting Wonderland are all welcomed bonus treats.
This is a deliciously dark adaptation that had my whole family engaged. I very much LOVED it. Oh, and, I also love this brief clip about finding a recipe for the ‘Eat Me’ cake (and clearly I would very much like to be the actress who got to bite into that ‘Eat Me’ cake 30 times!).
But, it has to be said that the Mad Hatter will always be my favourite. Johnny Depp is freakishly delicious in this adaptation, a true and absolute genius.Watch it, you won’t be disappointed, unless you’re a bit strange, of course…
(Oh, and, if you happen have a Google alert on your name and happen to be reading this post, Mr Johnny Depp, please can you play Jesus in the film adaptation of Like Bees to Honey?)
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This is one of my favourite Disney films. Johnny D was brilliant (as usual) but I think the Red Queen stole the show. Her large head and her evilness were amazing. I had nightmares!
If we’re asking Johnny D to play lead characters, he can play Fly in my book Eden.
Ohh I’ve come over all a quiver…
I do think that Johnny and Helena make the perfect combination in any film! I’m sure Johnny won’t mind playing both our leads… x
We all loved this film too…really loved it (went to see it at the cinema for Emma’s b-day)…brilliant! Tim Burton is a genius and Johnny Depp…well, Johnnyboy would be PEEEERFECT as Jesus. Absolutely perfect!
Hello lovely lady! We watched this on P’s birthday! Wouldn’t he be perfect as Jesus, wouldn’t he? And you could play Flavia! x
Oooooh! Can Jesus and Flavia have a snogging scene in the film, please, pretty pretty please!!!! (If you have google alert on your name Johnny, don’t be afraid)
I am so afraid for Mr Depp!
haven’t seen this yet. I’m trying to persuade my daughter to take me to Odeon’s cheapo kids’ club to see it but she’s getting too old to be seen out with Mum!
Noooo, she must go with you. It’s such a good film!
I was wavering but after your wow praise will go. I too was devasted by UP but this was not the reason for my equivocation - I saw Mr Burton had played around with the original and thought how dare he! Isn’t Lewis Carroll’s creation weird enough for Mr Burton? (Did Mr. Burton used to make Wagon Wheels or am I getting confused?)
So I shall go.
I love that he’s considered both the Alice books and part of me (a teeny bit) wanted it to have a different title, but it’s so freakishly delicious an adaptation (and not a Wagon Wheel in sight!) that I think you’ll like it. AND I didn’t cry!x
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