3D Alice In Wonderland (2010); fantasy adventure film review

Poster artwork for the fantasy adventure film Alice In Wonderland.

Wonderless Wanderings by Linh

Director Tim Burton’s visually stunning film adaptation comes courtesy of author Lewis Carroll’s beloved novels Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass. For his adaptation of Alice In Wonderland, Burton has combined both the novels into a film that at first generates sparks of interest but soon fizzles out. The performances from the live action and voice casts range from brilliant to average, which is a shame as there are plenty of excellent actors in the film whose talents are under-utilised.

MAGICAL MEANDERINGS: Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is in awe of her surroundings in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

The 3D effects do little to support the muddled story which seems to have lost its own plot.  Perhaps Alice has been enlisted to retrieve the missing plot? The sketchy narrative appears and re-appears as often as the smiling Cheshire Cat, making Alice’s wanderings and encounters with anthropomorphic characters insignificant and a leisurely way to pass the time. These characters have so much potential to contribute and assist Alice, yet they are given little opportunity to shine.

MASTER MILLINER: The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) checks his timing in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

This version of the classic story sees Alice Kingsley of Victorian England as a nineteen year old who must decide on whether or not to marry the foppish Lord Hamish. She is soon distracted by a white rabbit in a waist-coast carrying a pocket watch, and follows it until she falls into a rabbit hole.

Alice In Wonderland has been filmed many times before with better results. Tim Burton’s version is not a complete disappointment, and it is saved by the lead cast’s strong performances, and the nostalgic memories of reading the novels as a child. Thankfully, Johnny Depp’s few-and-far between appearances bring enough mad-cap eccentricity to his role as the Mad Hatter to make the film watchable. Other stand-out performances include Helena Bonham Carter’s self-indulgent, tempestuous and cruel Red Queen whose sense of humour is deadly; Anne Hathaway makes the most of her minor role as the deposed ruler, the White Queen; Matt Lucas of Little Britain fame drew a few laughs from the audience as the tubby twins Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee; Crispin Glover is Stayne the Knave of Hearts and he has some great moments as the ‘go-to-guy’ for the Red Queen; Australian actress Mia Wasikowska is suitably cast as the naïve and curious Alice whose sweet innocence is believable but her performance is not enough to carry the film.

REGAL RAGE: The Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) lashes out at those who stole her tarts in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

Interestingly, Tim Burton has family-friendly Walt Disney Pictures distributing this film, which may account for its lack of darkness in themes and poor depth in story-telling. In the books, there are the darker tones facing Alice the child but in this film adaptation, it seems to be about the young adult Alice’s decision to marry or become an independent single woman ready to embark on adventures.

KIND QUEEN: The White Queen (Anne Hathaway) concocts a special potion in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

Director: Tim Burton

Writers: Linda Woolverton (screenplay), Lewis Carroll (books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass)

Live Action Cast:  Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, Leo Bill, Tim Pigott-Smith, Frances de la Tour, Lindsay Duncan, Jemma Powell , Marton Csokas , Eleanor Gecks, Eleanor Tomlinson, Mairi Ella Challen

Voice Cast: Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman, Christopher Lee, Imelda Staunton, Barbara Windsor, Michael Sheen, Paul Whitehouse, Timothy Spall, Michael Gough

Producers: Tim Burton, Richard D. Zanuck, Linda Woolverton, Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd , Jennifer Todd, Peter M. Tobyansen, Chris Lebenzon, Katterli Frauenfelder, Mark L. Rosen, Derek Frey

Cinematographer: Dariusz Wolski

Original Music Composer: Danny Elfman   

Film Editor: Chris Lebenzon        

Production: Robert Stromberg (Production Designer), Andrew L. Jones, Christina Wilson, Todd Cherniawsky, Mike Stassi, Stefan Dechant (Art Directors), Karen O’Hara (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Colleen Atwood

                 

Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

CURIOUS CREW: Dodo (Michael Gough), Dormouse (Barbara Windsor) Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee (Matt Lucas) and the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) all help Alice in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007); musical horror film review

Poster artwork for the musical horror film Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Bleeding Blades by Linh

Sweeney Todd is Stephen Sondheim's musical brought to the big screen courtesy of director Tim Burton's eccentricity and the astounding talents of an ensemble cast led by Johnny Depp. Director Tim Burton has cleverly re-created the dark, dingy and bustling streets of London to set his latest film Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, including the costumes and accents befitting the period.The casting enables the film to be less theatrical with greater emphasis on cinematic qualities, employing actors who can sing rather than singers who can act. Most of the singing sounds rock-pop oriented and some songs have been shortened, while others have been omitted.

Versatile actor Johnny Depp extends his talents to greater lengths in accomplishing the characterisation of wrongly convicted barber Benjamin Barker, who returns as the gothic-looking and greying Sweeney Todd. Johnny Depp's singing expresses the pain and loss in the heart of a ruined man after losing his wife and child, yet is filled with anger and vengeance. Not known for his singing skills, Johnny Depp surprises with his vocal prowess throughout, including his highlights Epiphany and Pretty Women with Alan Rickman.

Although pregnant during the filming of Sweeney Todd, Helena Bonham Carter manages to capture the quirkiness and minx-like temperament of Mrs Lovett, physically and vocally. Helena Bonham Carter is breathtaking as she sings and moves in syncopation to Sondheim's music, particularly in The Worst Pies In London. She has previously performed with Depp in Corpse Bride and the pair's playful and extraordinary chemistry is evident onscreen.

Alan Rickman rises to the challenge of villainous heights as Judge Turpin whose self-indulgence and corruption stems Sweeney Todd's thirst for vengeance. Rickman's consummate performance captivates and his ability to draw audiences' reactions of hate and disdain towards his character is exceptional.

Timothy Spall gives a delightfully devious edge to Beadle Bamford, the brutal henchman of Judge Turpin. Spall's Beadle is the mini-me to Alan Rickman's Judge Turpin and Spall presents an equally satisfying performance.

Providing most of the comedic moments in the film is Sacha Baron Cohen as the fraudster Signor Adolfo Pirelli. Cohen's portrayal of Todd's former employee is hysterical as he flashes a cheesy grin while shaving a customer, and hitting a dazzling falsetto note in The Contest.

The impressive supporting cast adds spark to the film with Jamie Campbell Bower as Anthony Hope whose polished tenor voice is sublime in Johanna; as the innocent and reserved Johanna, Jayne Wisener is lovely in voice for Green Finch and Linnet Bird; youngster Edward Sanders gives a brilliant performance as Toby and is definitely one to watch in the future; and Laura Michelle Kelly does well to evoke pity as the Beggarwoman, then educes sadness as Sweeney realises she is his wife Lucy.

 

GORE GALORE: Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) prepare to make human-pies with Mrs Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) int the musical horror film Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Image: Leah Gallo, Warner Brothers, DreamWorks.

Director: Tim Burton

Writers: John Logan (screenplay), Hugh Wheeler (stage musical), Christopher Bond (musical adaptation)

Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Sacha Baron Cohen, Timothy Spall, Jayne Wisener, Jamie Campbell Bower, Laura Michelle Kelly, Ed Sanders,

Producers: Patrick McCormick, Richard D. Zanuck, John Logan, Walter F. Parkes, Katterli Frauenfelder, Brenda Berrisford, Laurie MacDonald, Derek Frey

Cinematographer: Dariusz Wolski (Director of Photography)

Original Music Composer: Stephen Sondheim

Film Editor: Chris Lebenzon

Production: Dante Ferretti (Production Designer), David Warrren, Gary Freeman (Art Director), Francesca Lo Schiavo (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Colleen Atwood

Running Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes