You want to see a gothic, colorful fantasy epic with stunning visuals. Skip it if: You expect a faithful, nonsensical, and witty trip down the rabbit hole.
Furthermore, Mia Wasikowska’s Alice is curiously passive for a protagonist. She repeats “I am Alice of Wonderland” as a battle cry, but she often seems confused and distant, as if the film is happening around her rather than to her. Alicia en el País de las Maravillas is a gorgeous, occasionally enchanting film that will delight fans of Tim Burton’s aesthetic. Children will love the vibrant creatures and slapstick moments (the Bandersnatch chase is thrilling), and adults will admire the art direction. However, for those who love Carroll’s original for its wordplay, absurd humor, and lack of clear moral, this adaptation may feel disappointingly conventional.
★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter, despite his quirky makeup and warbling accent, is surprisingly tragic and melancholic. He spends more time crying about his dead family than spouting riddles. While Depp is committed, the Hatter feels less “mad” and more “sad,” which drains the film of its anarchic energy.