Some people call Tim Burton predictable. They're tired of seeing the same actors, same style, etc. But to all of the people who stand by this, I say, "Enough!" Please refrain from criticizing a man who has found a killer combination. Tim Burton is not predictable - oh, no - he's dependably good.
Contrary to popular belief, this year's Alice in Wonderland is not a remake of the original but a sequel to it. Set 13 years after the original, Alice now is 19 years old and about to embark on a second adventure in Wonderland.
There simply is not enough space in today's paper to talk about how much this movie rocks. It combines great acting, fashion and avant-garde imagery for a killer movie experience. What really makes it all pop, though, is the fact that it is all shot in Avatar-style 3-D.
Burton, director of Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands, is the master of twisted tree branches, barren landscapes and imagery that seems innocent but is not quite ... right. By using 3-D, all of Burton's strengths as a director are magnified, highlighted, perfected. The bleak landscapes are more desolate because you are in them. The haunting trees stretch on for miles, and the sinister feeling grows. Burton's work always has had an aspect of high fashion and modern art to them, and it finally has found the perfect home on the 3-D silver screen.
Another facet of this movie that makes it a complete gem is how Mia Wasikowska, who plays Alice, does not let the star power of Johnny Depp outshine her. Depp, of course, performs beautifully as the Mad Hatter, putting charm and emotion into his already beloved character. Though working with Depp as a rising actress could be intimidating, Wasikowska's relatively unknown status does not seem to deter her - she and Depp both command the same amount of attention on screen. Her portrayal of an adolescent Alice simply brims with authenticity, wit and delicious irony.
Fans of Burton, as I have said, can expect all of the favorite trademarks. Two of my favorite Burton signatures are his choice in costume designer, Colleen Atwood, and his gift for making just about anything seem delightfully sinister. Alice's costumes seamlessly - if you will pardon the pun - fit in with the overall aesthetic of the movie. When Alice is in her suffocating reality, the costumes are dull and plain, but in Wonderland, they are extraordinary and eye-catching. As for the somewhat disturbing nature of the movie, my favorite moment was during tea with the Mad Hatter. The Cheshire Cat says after a bit of light conversation, "All this talk of blood and slaying has put me off my tea." What a nuisance, blood and slaying. I do believe that deserves a shudder.
Now then, those who do not like Burton should steer clear of this movie. It is recognizably his; therefore, if you do not enjoy his style, you will not like it. I stick to my guns, though. Criticizing Burton for being predictable would be the same as complaining about your mother's cooking. Oh, horror of horrors! It's dependably good every time! Checkmate.
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