Tim Burton returns to the big screen in his first 3D feature, and Burton fans won’t be disappointed with his whimsical take on the Lewis Carroll classic.

Returning some of Burton’s favorite actors to the screen together, Alice offers all the favorite flares of Burton’s movie making: rich visuals, zany characters, and strong CGI, delivering a treat that can be enjoyed by young and old.

Already set to become the second highest grossing movie of the year (after Avatar,) Alice has come in to mixed reviews. The often repeated criticism comes down to narrative, or specifically a claimed lack there of. But this is an unfair criticism, particularly among critics who praised Avatar for its Pocohantas with Aliens storyline.

The original Alice in Wonderland tale is one of pure fantasy, a story for the ages that some would argue defined the genre. The movie reflects this, be it with Burton’s own take.

The core of the story sees a grown Alice return to Wonderland to take on the Red Queen, and revisit the world from her childhood she recalls only as a dream.

The movie introduces the classic characters over various scenes, building to the climax at the end (no spoilers from me.)

To argue that the movie suffers from narrative is to ignore the very nature of the story, and shows a failure to appreciate it for what it is: this is a movie with waist coated rabbits, cards with swords, and other bizarre creatures. It is a pure flight of fantasy, and should be appreciated as such.

Australian actress Mia Wasikowska shines as Alice, bringing a haunting beauty and Victorian subtlety to the screen. Johnny Depp was made to play the Mad Hatter, and delivers the part strongly. Most other characters are rendered in CGI, but are so seamless the blend of people and computer animation truly has you believing you are in Wonderland.

The 3D isn’t Avatar spectacular, but very few movies in the years to come ever will be. The 3D though adds a vibrant depth to the visuals, and is in the most part used effectively.

If you prefer your movies with strong political statements and naked blue aliens, stick to Avatar. If you want a movie to enjoy for its richness without being preached to, one that delivers enjoyable escapism, you’ll love Alice in Wonderland

3 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Review: Alice In Wonderland is a post from: The Inquisitr

First first teaser trailer for Tim Burton’s much anticipated adaption of Alice in Wonderland has been released.

The Alice in Wonderland trailer sets up the well known story as perceived by Burton, including a full range of rich imagery that highlights the CGI and the actors in the movie.

Whether it’s an unintentional release though is unclear: Disney has been issuing take down notices to sites hosting the clip, including YouTube and Trailer Addict. At the time of writing IGN still has the trailer, so the embed below should work.

Due out in March 2010, the movie stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, and Australian Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

First Alice in Wonderland Trailer Released is a post from: The Inquisitr

The shots from the forthcoming Tim Burton adaption of Alice in Wonderland continue to be released, and the latest features from the “only gay in the village” Matt Lucas.

Lucas plays both Tweedledee and Tweedledum in the movie, and as the picture above shows, there’s a seriously heavy dose of CGI.

Alice in Wonderland is due out March 2010.

First look: Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum is a post from: The Inquisitr

The first sneak peek look of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland is out.

Depp once again undergoes the serious makeup treatment to play the role.

The movie will incorporate many characters and narrative elements from Carroll’s books but is essentially a new story, Alice’s return to Wonderland. Tim Burton states that “given what this story is, if Alice had this adventure as a little girl and now she’s going back all these years later, it’s a bit overgrown…[and there’s] a slightly haunted quality to Wonderland, even though it’s got strong elements of color.” She is now 17 years old and someone “who doesn’t quite fit into Victorian society and structure.” This journey “becomes a rite of passage as she discovers her voice and herself.”

Alice in Wonderland is due out March 2010.

First picture of Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter is a post from: The Inquisitr

The brains trust is alive and well in the Cyrus household. Fresh from mocking Asians, Miley Cyrus is now warning (presumably non-Asian) kids about the dangers of….Lewis Carroll.

Miley tells next month’s Teen Vogue that Alice in Wonderland is “such a perverted movie…It’s all about Ecstasy. I swear! Look it up online.”

As Page Six notes, Lewis Carroll wrote the book in 1865, and Disney made the movie in 1951, long before Ecstasy became popular.

Next stop on the Miley Cyrus express now absolutely has to be a run for Congress

Miley Cyrus: Alice in Wonderland is perverted, about ectasy is a post from: The Inquisitr