Well, it has been a while and I am not starting up with knitting or weaving. Needless to say, there is some of that going on... the shibori scarf is not yet finished, but socks are and I have started a lace kimono. When I get around to extracting photos from my camera I will post. So, in place of knitting et al, I will briefly discuss Alice in Wonderland... what you say-- yes it is movie critic time! First off, let me start out by stating how much I LOVE Time Burton and Johnny Depp-- these two can do no wrong in my book. TB's latest is no exception. Alice is fantastic... and very different from the other 3D phenom "Avatar". I have read a few blogs trashing one or the other-- people, you can like both movies- it is really ok. They are movies, not hockey teams (not like a replay of USA vs Canada!). I loved both movies - they are very different and that is ok too.
So back to Alice- The movie takes place ~15 years after Alice was originally in Wonderland (or as it was pointed out, the real name is Underland. When we meet "teen Alice" we get the sense she is a bit stubborn and independent, but faces difficult decision to do what is expected (marry the local Lord and secure her family's position lost with her father's death) or not. At the engagement party, Alice sees the White Rabbit and sets off... well, we know what happens next (down the rabbit hole). I won't give up much more, but all of the wonderful characters are back. Unfortunately, in the years since Alice left the Red Queen has laid waste to Underland and rules through terror and fear. The White Rabbit was dispatched to bring Alice back to save them- as predicted in the compendium scroll and explained by the Caterpillar (can't remember his name). Alice has other ideas, she is not to be bossed and selects her own path- exactly what was needed in the end. It is a case of "doing what is right over doing what is expected". I look at this movie as a story on Girl Power- Alice bucks the system and does things on her own terms (not the norm for the time) and becomes a strong and independent woman in the process. I found it interesting that Alice and her world is very pale (whites and very pale colors) while Underland is vibrant (the pale Upperland sets this up perfectly)- even Alice looks pale and washed out until she is in Underland and returns.
Depp is wonderful - but sometimes his manic Hatter is hard to follow (on purpose)- I noticed he used different voices depending on the mood he is trying to convey (lispy at the tea party and converting to a thick Scottish accent like the March Hare when he is serious). The March Hare is a hoot, and the Red Queen (Helena B. Carter) almost steals the show. My favorite is the Cat- some of the best CGI in the film. Although it is intense in some parts, for young'un raised on Harry Potter, this is tame (the fight with the Jabberwoky may be a bit frightening).
I recommend this movie (3.5 out of 4 stars)- I did see this in 3D but I think 2D would be fine. I think I may have to read the original - I am surprised this was one of the books missed in my childhood.
