Alice, through Burton's Looking Glass

Film: Alice in Wonderland
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway,
Director: Tim Burton

Among other things, Alice in Wonderland is often described by conspiracy theorists as the ultimate drug trip. Lewis Carroll definitely was "off" with his head somewhere else! Tim Burton is known for his distinctive visual style and his ability to tell any story as a fable. When he announced his take on Alice, with alter ego Johnny Depp in tow, many a geek the world over wet his pants in delight.

This is a slightly older Alice. On her engagement day, Alice (Wasikowska) follows a White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) and falls down a hole. She changes sizes, meets assorted weirdos and has curious adventures, all the while convinced she is dreaming. But there is a twist in the tale. Something is not quite right with Wonderland. The evil Red Queen (Bonham Carter) is the ruler, having exiled her sister, the White Queen (Hathaway). The poor subjects find their heads being offed at rather short notice.

To sort out matters and slay the terrible creature, the Jabberwocky (the great Christopher Lee in his shortest role), a champion must rise, a champion called Alice, or so the prophecy goes. While most people, including Alice, are not convinced, one man refuses to believe otherwise. He is the Mad Hatter (Depp). The saga begins.

Johnny Depp has precious little to do but add to his list of weird roles. Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter are required to overact. The former falls flat, all flutter and floss The latter runs away with the movie, deadpanning to brilliant effect. Stephen Fry and Alan Rickman showcase their vocal talents as the Cheshire Cat and the Blue Caterpillar. Mia Wasikowska does have unusual looks, but her acting chops are not called to action here.

Alice is Burton at his most accessible – dazzling us with his visual imagery, while not bothering about subtexts or secondary meanings. The Burton of old may have gone AWOL, but the success of Alice may give him the freedom to return to his quirky roots.

All said and done, Alice in Wonderland should come with a warning. The heady mixture of Carroll and Burton may not awaken the grey cells, but it delights the eyes enough to make young minds reach out for those drugs!