“Alice in Wonderland” – Film Review

I was flabbergasted by the incredible animation, and I didn’t even watch it on 3D…yet.

First things first, I’ve heard a many things about this Alice adaptation, some say sequel, Tim Burton himself says not, however, since this Alice would be a tad maddening (which apparently isn’t always a bad thing) if you had no inkling whatsoever about the previous Alice story, thus, I will call this Alice an extension. A spin off by a different author, who weaved a classic tale into a different style and culture.

Helena Bonham Carter is an absolute scene stealer, but then again, when isn’t she? She is the heart of the film, pun quite intended. Crispin Glover, creepily affective as always. Jonny Depp delivers, yet again, a performance unlike any other. Anne Hathaway was ever so graceful as the White Queen, and kind of psychotic as well. And as for the lovely Mia Wasikowska, she’s wonderful, pun intended yet again. Although she could have used a little more curiosity, like the Disney Alice. And we can’t forget Matt Lucas as Twiddledum and Twiddledee, I love my fat boys.

The animations were gorgeous. Dark and nightmarishly detailed, everything was: Just. Gorgeous.

I loved the story. It’s not perfect, and some parts I definitely could have done without, the eye thing with the large (feline?) monster was cliched and eye-roll worthy, but I loved it overall nonetheless. I found it fascinating that Alice was more in tune with her muchness once she accepted her delusions. It’s intriguing how impervious some people think they are when they think something is wrong with them.

This is not a film made with rainbows, spice, and everything nice. It’s dreary and disturbing, but with good reason. It’s a phantasmagoric epic that is unlike any other.

All it comes down to is this:

Tim Burton’s films – you either love them or hate them.

I happen to love them. Especially this one.

Alice: Lost my muchness have I?

Go Ask Alice

Good news Tim Burton fans, it seems that our favorite gothic-esque director signed with Walt Disney Pictures to make his own adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Lots of rumors have been going around about the cast in this new Alice film, mostly during last year, some even said that Sarah Michelle Gellar was a part of the movie, and as cool as that might have been, it is just not so. It's not entirely bad news though, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter (also Tim Burton's talented wife) will be playing antithetical sisters. Anne Hathaway will be playing the White Queen, while Helena Carter will be playing the Red Queen. Mia Wasikowska will be playing Alice. Also, Johnny Depp is cast as the Mad Hatter. Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, and Tim Burton have worked together numerous times before, in films such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This will be the fourth film wherein in Burton, Depp, and Carter will all be working together. So far their collaborations have been constantly brilliant. Will another team up be as good, or better, than their previous works? Either way, Tim Burton's take on the classical tale of Alice in Wonderland should be worth watching out for.

Alice is still in pre-production, but a couple of photos of Mia Wasikowsa during filming has popped up.

Burton's Alice adaptation is reported to be a stop motion film (i.e. the kind of animation in films such as Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride).

Alice is supposedly coming out in March 2010.

"Wall-E" Film Review

I've been waiting to see this film for ages. Wall-E is officially my favorite CGI animated film. Of all time.



Wall-E is a 2008 computer animated film from Walt Disney Pictures, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, and directed by Andrew Stanton.



For a full film synopsis, go to wikipedia.



Wall-E is an animated film that definitely takes the CGI potential to the next level. The whole film is a visual eye candy; the graphics are simply breathtaking. Furthermore, Wall-E's movements and robotic motion are so perfectly synced and meticulously planned that you can't help but be in awe of the creators of this visual masterpiece. Wall-E's graphics are that of Final Fantasy: Advent Children level, possibly even higher. And that's saying a lot.



And the story is just as beautiful as its graphics. There are barely any actual words from the main characters, Wall-E and Eve, but as they say, actions speak louder than words. The main dialogue comes from the humans who react to Wall-E, and we get a glimpse of a world that has lost the basic human wonders by their own creations. In the midst of the political, economical, and environmental insinuations and allegories, Wall-E is first and foremost, a love story. Wall-E, the sympathetic small robot who lives for trash, unwittingly brings the human civilization back to its roots, because it fell in love with Eve (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator). I can’t stress enough just how cute Wall-E is, so I won’t even try. But some are complaining that the decidedly mature, political message of Wall-E is not fit for an animated film intended for children.



I say cow manure.



What would they prefer? A clueless sponge’s meaningless escapades with a cynical squid and a retarded starfish?



Propaganda's and “evils of mankind” aside, Wall-E’s underlining theme of hope and human resilience makes it, in my opinion, a lovelier and more endearing story than the self-deprecating and (admittedly funny) sarcastic humor of other animated films, like Shrek.



Overall, Wall-E is an epic, heartwarming, love story, with spectacular visuals, astounding sound effects, and an amazing message for those who would care to look for it.



I’m definitely buying its DVD coming out this November. It would be wrong not to!



And.



Here’s to hoping Wall-E wins an Oscar.