I just saw Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland today, and much like the Sherlock Holmes movie some months ago, it’s not part of the canon, although it does borrow much of Lewis Carroll’s Alice is 19, doesn’t remember any of her “Wonderland” adventures, and falls down the rabbit hole again as she flees from a marriage proposal from the foppish Hamish. Alice must fulfill the prophecy in the oraculum and slay the Jabberwocky to save Underland from the evil Red Queen.
Like all Tim Burton Films, it’s a visual spectacle, and I credit him that. I liked the Cheshire Cat, the Blue Caterpillar (Alan Rickman!), and the Red Queen, not so much the jaded Alice, the depressing Mad Hatter (as much as I love Johnny Depp, I don’t like his Wonka and his Mad Hatter and they both seem like the same eerie caricatures on crack), or the hammed up White Queen. With this grown up version of Alice, I missed the heart and whimsicality of the original Alice, and I wouldn’t trade that for all the visual effects in the world.
I read Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass when I was in first grade. I had an old paperback hand-me-down from my sisters, which I haven’t seen in more than a decade, but I still like the original illustrations by John Tenniel.
I have two editions of the novels.
I have a Barnes and Noble back to back volume (left) with John Tenniel’s work:
I also have the Templar Classics edition (right) with Cinzia Ratto’s illustrations:
Before watching the movie, though, I reread one special Alice in Wonderland storybook I had: a pop-up adaptation by master paper engineer Robert Sabuda, illustrated in the style of John Tenniel. It’s a special present from wired_lain, a friend in Japan.
Check it out:
Alice sees the White Rabbit
Alice after the “Drink me” bottle
The Duchess and the baby
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
The cards fly down upon Alice!
Awesome, ain’t it? I have a bunch more Alice books on my wishlist: Alice in (pop-up) Wonderland by J. Otto Seibold, and the Alice books illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. I hope I can add those to my collection soon. After all, no one’s too old for Alice in Wonderland.
***
Alice in Wonderland (2010 film): 3/5 stars
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a pop-up adaptation by Robert Sabuda, paperback, 5/5 stars
Book #22 of 2010
[amazonify]::omakase::300:250[/amazonify]
oooh I remember that book!! I’m also in an Alice in Wonderland kick right now although the movie doesnt come out until April here :( Dropping by to say hi!!! musta na dear!
Hi Mar — got the books na. Thanks for the Kewpie pen! It’s adorable!
So it’s more of Through the Looking Glass? I luv it! More grim and somber. Excellent material for Tim Burton. I’ve always maintained that the Alice books weren’t meant for children. Lewis Carroll is a crazy genius with a disturbed childhood.
More like” Alice in Underland” — essentially she goes through “Wonderland” again — Down the Rabbit Hole, Advice from A Caterpillar, Mad Tea Party and the Queen’s Crocket Ground… and then Burton tells a different story of the Red Queen’s rule.
Ang saya nung pop-up!
Kubi: Hehe, yup — Sabuda is the best in pop-up
I adore Alice in Wonderland and my fave character is the grinnin’ Chesire Cat. I’m watching Tim Burton’s version this weekend, I can hardly wait. Love the Alice pop up book-it’s so cute!
Hi Lina! I love the Cheshire Cat too! He’s adorable in the Tim Burton Film.
Will add you to my blogroll :)
That pop-out book looks so fun!
I saw the movie last night, and the Mad Hatter was one of my favourite parts. In fact, I wish there had been more Mad Hatter. Or maybe I just wanted more Johnny Depp. Could very well be.
I agree with you about the White Queen. She just seemed kind of odd. And I loved the Cheshire Cat. I would have been okay with more Cat in the movie, too.
OMIGOSH! That pop up book is amazing!! I absolutely love it – especially that page with the arc of cards!
My daughter, Sam, was really looking forward to this movie and she finally got to see it last weekend. I asked her if it was everythign she thought it would be and she said, “YES!” She loved it! I might just have to see it myself now, too!
@Alita – The cat was the absolute cutest!!! Haha, yeah, Johnny Depp does sweeten the deal.
@Lisa- That is my favorite spread in the book too!
i remember watching on FB the live video streaming of world premiere of alice in wonderland in london on odeon theater. super nagpakapuyat ako masilayan ko lang c johnny depp tapos nagka technical problems pa both audio and video buti umayos nung lumabas si johnny depp just in time.di ko lang matandaaan ung book ko nito nasan na i transferred house eh boohoo.