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alice+in+wonderland | Year: 1999 Directed: - Nick Willing Actors/Actresses: - Whoopi Goldberg - Tina Majorino Dear GOD, let Tim Burton do this thing! I have seen/read several versions of Lewis Carrol's masterpiece and it's always interessting to see a new angle. The hallmark version stays pretty close to the source material though, even if it does introduce singing as a new theme. <BR>This was probably done to create some kind of coherent storyline. Something many movie adaptions of Alice tend to do because let's face it, a movie tells a quite different kind of story than a book does.<BR>Anyway, this interpretation is sure to include certain scenes that will satisfy most people (even the purists). My own favorite is without a doubt the tea party with an over-the-top performance from the underestimated Martin Short. Bravo! This scene, and the effort and hard work in bringing this complicated story to life earns this tv movie 4 stars in my book. But this is definetly not THE definitive version of Alice. That would probably be the book. And yet as I have done so many times before, I can't help but wonder what Tim Burton could do with this kind of source material, and drool at the prospect. <BR>Tim, if you're reading this you know what to do! Make this film now! Right now! It quickly became a week-end tradition! Since the first time I saw this version of Alice in Wonderland on TV, I have loved it. It seems to be the only decent adaptation of this wonderful book that has been made, especially comparing it to that dreadful Disney version made back in the 1950's. This movie is a true inspiration to reading both of Lewis Carroll's books, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass". I have boutht a beautiful hardcover edition of the book, and I'm really looking forward to reading it. Anyways, back to the film, the characters are the most lovable ever, really fitting the characters with distinguished personalities, the music is excellent, giving the film's different a scenes a pleasent and fresh atmosphere. I have seen this movie been sold for $4.99 and given away in cereal boxes which is really somewhat of a humiliation, being this such an outstanding film, and destined to become a classic. I'll be sharing this one with my friends and continuing the tradition of watching it every other week-end. Big budget does not a good Wonderland make When I first read of this adaptation in 1999, I was so excited to hear of a huge Hollywood version of my favourite book of all time. Another Wonderland to get lost in, another Alice to follow on her nonsensical, whimsical journey. What I ended up with was another reason not to trust American telemovies. The last telemovie attempt at 'Alice In Wonderland' was in 1985 when Irwin Allen made a very admirable attempt at recreating both 'Wonderland' and its sequel 'Through The Looking-Glass'. In comparison to modern film technology, the sets are a bit plastic looking and there are one too many distractingly sickening songs, not to mention some embarrassing moments of 'special effects' (see the model train used to cringeworthy effect in 'Lookin-Glass'). However when stacked up against this travesty, Allen's creation is an absolute opus. The biggest problem with this latest Wonderland is it gets lost in its own surface. As a result, it is a horribly stilted, detached and depthless rendering of one of the most exciting fictional worlds in modern literature. Nearly every setting is CGI'd beyond recognition, with unnecessary inclusions and digital touch-ups in almost as many scenes. As for the cast, for a group of actors who are arguably the cream of the Hollywood crop they turn in rather unimpressive performances. Tina is a solid Alice, but talented actors like the divine Whoopi Goldberg are wasted on parts like the Cheshire Cat. It comes off as another reviewer stated like a furry grey Whoopi Goldberg, not Goldberg playing a role. Unfortunately, this can be said for most of the other famous names in the film as well. As for the White Rabbit, I don't think I've ever seen a more unconvincing and irritating creature in my life. It looks like the perverted brother of the Energiser Bunny. My other peeves with this version lie in the seemingly obligatory 'American-isation' of the original text, with the pointless and insulting inclusion of a journey of self-discovery to somewhat validate Alice's encounter with Wonderland. This not only subverts but trivialises the genius of Carroll's novels set against the backdrop of the morally-conscious Victorian world. I will give props where necessary, however. Miranda Richardson's reading of the Queen is at first jarring with her high pitched screeching, but by the end of the film it becomes rather appealing. Her make-up and costume is not what is usually rendered as the Queen of Hearts, but quite a stellar variation. The card-house / court scene at the end is wonderful, as is the gloriously sensitive portrayal of the Mock Turtle by Gene Wilder (accompanied by one of the more convincing Henson creature creations as the Gryphon). If there is one reason to see this version of 'Wonderland', it is Martin Short as the deranged Hatter. His Hatter - and his friend, a mildly psychotic, slightly disturbing reading of the March Hare - is for me the perfect portrayal of Carroll's character and John Tenniel's original illustrations. The entire tea party sequence is delicious, pivotal, and embodies everything that Wonderland is - nonsensical, entertaining and slightly darker than you'd first realise. Shame the rest of the film is miles away from this superb scene. Buy Alice In Wonderland at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Alice In Wonderland Search with the Priority Search Engine on Alice In Wonderland This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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