Swanner: Do you remember the first time you saw The Wizard of Oz? The wonder you felt as Dorothy landed in Munchkinland and started her journey down the yellow brick road. That’s what I was feeling last night as I saw Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Alice falls down the rabbit hole and discovers a familiar world from a dream she had as a child. Of course this is no dream and we are lucky enough to join Alice as she rediscovers Wonderland.
Judd: Rediscover — that’s the key word. I have a feeling that a lot of people are going to see this with the idea that this is a remake or a combination of all Alice in Wonderland movies. I know I did. For those people, it is key to understand that this is basically a sequel to the Alice stories. That being said, I think that except for the last 5 minutes where the movie’s music and mood became uncharacteristically modern, I agree that the whole film is a delight to see.
Swanner: I’ve been hearing rumbles from the purists that the film doesn’t follow the books and to that I say it didn’t bother me in the least. I always found the books to be a little too much of an acid trip. Burton wanted to keep the oddities but make them palatable for today’s audiences. I really like how fleshed out the characters were from Alice and The Mad Hatter to Bayard, the hound dog and the Dormouse. When all is said and done the real star is Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. She will be legend in film history as one of the great villainesses along side the likes of Ursula, Maleficent or Cruella DeVille.
Judd: You nailed it head with development of character. Johnny Depp is fantastic as The Mad Hatter; he gives the Hatter real depth and range of emotion which was fantastic to see. And I have to say that Helena Bonham Carter’s Red Queen is my new favorite villain. Again we are given back-story and reasons for why she is so evil. Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland is to the Lewis Carroll stories as Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz.
Swanner: That’s exactly how I felt through the movie. I felt like a child watching something new and amazing. We did see it at the IMAX in 3D which was wonderful all on it’s own but the 3D does to Alice what it did to Up. It makes it more beautiful and sharp but seeing this in 2D would be fine. Still this is one of those movies that should be seen in theatres. The visual elements are fantastic and the journey is worth taking. This will be great of DVD but it should be experienced at least once on the big screen.
Judd: Let’s not forget to mention the makeup and costumes, they’re are absolutely brilliant. Alice is definitely a lock for the artistic awards next year. Makeup and Design for sure. I would even say Costumes, but I’m sure some boring Elizabethan piece that 5 people will see at the theatres will take that one.
Swanner: 
1/2
Judd:
