Movies

Tim Burton's films can be massively overhyped disappointments, but "Alice in Wonderland" thankfully isn't one of them: this is a dark, weird, mind-bending adventure. The cast is led by Mia Wasikowska, an actress who's Australian, a knock-out and destined for stardom; imagine a cross between Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift. She's Alice, a feisty Victorian lass who's mostly forgotten about her adventure in Wonderland now that she's grown up. That is until she tumbles back down the rabbit hole, reuniting with her old pals the Mad Hatter (an ingeniously kooky Johnny Depp), Tweedledee and Tweedledum (both played by Matt Lucas) and the Cheshire Cat (voiced by Stephen Fry). They reveal that she's destined to slay the Jabberwocky and save Wonderland from the clutches of the villainous Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). Burton is skilled at crafting fractured fairytales, and he uses his talent to put a fresh spin on a classic tale. The plot is littered with references to Lewis Carroll's 19th century "Alice" novels and the 1951 animated movie, which will amuse fans of both. The special effects enhance the film's dreamlike, creepy atmosphere, though some bits may prove too much for little kids. The only sticking point is the pointless 3-D, which is literally an eyesore. "Avatar" set a new standard for films presented in 3-D, one that Alice doesn't live up to. While this is a film worth seeing, see it in good old two dimensions.