Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland is undoubtedly one of the weaker efforts from the workshop of the master of imagination Tim Burton. On the one hand, it actually seems quite paradoxical: a work like this, when rewritten as a film, certainly offers considerable avenues for portrayal, plenty of room for self-expression, and is directly built for directorial exhibition. Unfortunately, the whole film leaves a rather faint impression in terms of directing and inevitably gives the impression that Burton had the whole process of filming very precisely mapped out in advance and thus left his authorial imprint only to a very limited extent (though hints of Burtonian poetry and humor thankfully do appear here and there). The bright side of the whole project for me remains the fabulous performance of Helena Bonham Carter and a few funny moments. Even Danny Elfman's music is not as impressive as usual this time around. Burton's most divisive film in the last ten years of his career. (27/10/2011)

The movie excited me in the cinema, but mainly because of the colorful orgies. Yes, who wouldn't like a bit of kitsch here and there. But then the film got stuck in my head and personally, I consider it one of the worst that Tim Burton has made. Depp has found the right role for himself again here. And he is great, he is funny. And he is the same as in his recent films, although the mask is different. The visual orgies are beautiful, but the main Alice did not find the right performer in Mia. Actually, she quite successfully opposes me. This is simply something that didn't sit well with me. Great actors, interesting role, but why does it have to be an adaptation of "Alice"? In terms of plot, it's just another Hollywood spectacle. (06/01/2014)

The weakest Burton film ever. Unfortunate, but it's true. Alice is too digital, it drags (it only really picks up in those moments when the images are finally supported Danny Elfman's good motif) and is very uninteresting in terms of plot. Moreover, with perhaps two exceptions (Hatter's farewell, the digital dog and his family), it lacks any emotion. The pros: The aforementioned music (including an Avril Lavigne song), Helena Bonham Carter, a great feline named Cheshire Cat and a few funny moments. Otherwise, there’s not much, I'm sorry to say.__P.S. The return to wonderland worked much, much better in Spielberg's Hook. (17/08/2010)

When the most likeable character in a fairytale is the main villain, it’s impossible to avoid the feeling that something went bloody wrong. Alice in Wonderland is a run-of-the-mill film in every aspect, though some people may appreciate Burton’s signature, even if here it’s neutered. Not me, though. Kids will probably like it, it’s not utterly bad. (01/06/2010)

I had a great time. The film was off the rails just like the book on which it was based. Mia Wasikowska was extremely convincing, Anne Hathaway was hilarious, and I’m not exactly a fan of hers, Johnny Depp was at his wackiest, Helena Bonham Carter was fantastic ("I need a pig here!” and "Off with their heads!" – brilliant) and Crispin Glover was sleazy to the core. Except for a few minor details, I was satisfied. (20/11/2016)