Alice in Wonderland (Live-Action)

[Disneykid]

Actually, right after I made my last post in this thread, I asked for the script from someone who was offering it freely. I received the whole thing from her about 20 minutes ago and will plough through it tonight. Thanks a lot for the offer, though! I plan on posting my detailed review of it in the next few days.

[yukitora]

seems like this is a unique take on the story. Wich will set it apart from, say, the millionth Christmas Carol.

Actually it kinda sounds like American MacGee's Alice in Wonderland, minus the insanity element.

The plot doesn't seem non-sensical enough for Alice. That might be why the actors are 'doing' their characters more intensely.

[Disney Duster]

Wait a minute, so does that mean what my friend told me and I didn't like was right?

That this is actually...a sequel to Alice in Wonderland?

Then how can it be called "Alice in Wonderland"?

And I can't believe Disneykid is spoiling so much of it for himself. Reading the first few pages, keeping the whole script to read and compare after the film, okay, but he's practically getting the whole film spoiled!

[Disney's Divinity]

seems like this is a unique take on the story. Wich will set it apart from, say, the millionth Christmas Carol.

Actually it kinda sounds like American MacGee's Alice in Wonderland, minus the insanity element.

Yeah. And everyone's a little less creepy, too.

Anyway, I've occasionally been checking out this thread, as this looks vaguely interesting to me (though I know Alice fans out there are probably really excited to see another Alice-related film). After spoiling myself with that in-depth summary, which I'll most likely have forgotten by the time I actually see the movie, I have to say that it sounds to be pretty good. Though I agree with Disneykid that the "Off with your head!" blood-lust comment sounds weird for Alice. Also, I think the choice of characters being used is rather predictable, though I'd definitely like to see an attractive Mad Hatter--I never would have thought that was possible. Also, I'm sure Helena Bonham Carter will do excellent as the Red Queen/Queen of Hearts combo. And is Anne Hathaway really playing the White Queen? That seems strange for some reason. Anyway, I'll definitely see this when it comes out. I usually enjoy seeing Tim Burton's take on things, and a twisted Wonderland is a perfect fit for his style, I think.

[MadasaHatter]

And I can't believe Disneykid is spoiling so much of it for himself. Reading the first few pages, keeping the whole script to read and compare after the film, okay, but he's practically getting the whole film spoiled![/quote]

Normally I'd agree. Ususally I'd rather wait and spoil nothing for myself. But in the case of this particular film - I get Disneykid. I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING about this film that I possibly can. I am way too excited for it!! This movie is a match made in heaven. Ever since I first fell in love with Tim Burton's movies I hoped he would some day do Alice in Wonderland - now that he is - well I've been on pins and needles since I heard about this project. Forgive us our anticipation.

And glad to hear you found a copy DK.

[Disneykid]

Wait a minute, so does that mean what my friend told me and I didn't like was right?

That this is actually...a sequel to Alice in Wonderland?

Then how can it be called "Alice in Wonderland"?

And I can't believe Disneykid is spoiling so much of it for himself. Reading the first few pages, keeping the whole script to read and compare after the film, okay, but he's practically getting the whole film spoiled!

Yeah, that's something I, too, find strange. I guess it's like the new Star Trek film - while it's technically a sequel, it stands on its own enough that the filmmakers are just giving it the same title as the original. Really, the fact that Alice has been to Wonderland before is only made relevant in couple of scenes.

The reason I'm spoiling so much for myself is because I'm genuinely curious (pardon the pun) about this production. I want to follow everything about it that I possibly can so I can see how it develops. I only ever do this when a film is based on source material I'm familiar with, hence why I've also read script excerpts and test screening reports for each of the Harry Potter and Narnia films (and most recently, Coraline and Watchmen). When a film I'm interested in is something original, then I try to remain as spoiler-free as possible, which is why I avoided screening reports and in-depth reviews for Up, and will do the same for The Princess and the Frog.

Anyway, I finished reading the screenplay, and my thoughts are generally the same as the ones from when I read the synopsis. Some further notes:

* I'm not still not quite buying Alice's character development. I can see where she slowly becomes more resourceful through different scenes, but it doesn't seem quite enough to lead to the big climax. Mia's going to have to really show additional development through how she looks and speaks even in non-developmental scenes. This also applies to her relationship with the Hatter.

* While I like the storyline, I feel the tone is off. It's too normal for Wonderland, even with some special Carrollisms thrown in. The sense of whimsy and wit is largely absent and replaced with a more serious, adventurous tone ala Narnia. While I'm a massive Narnia fan, this approach misses the point of Wonderland. The only characters who feel like themselves are the Tweedles, the March Hare, the Caterpillar, and the Red Queen (as long as you consider her the Queen of Hearts). The Dormouse is basically Reepicheep, the Mad Hatter is a straight-laced revolutionary, and the Cheshire Cat and White Rabbit aren't in it enough to make an impression.

* I'm still confused how this exactly connects to Wonderland and Looking Glass. The characters say Alice has been there before and that she called it Wonderland. Yet, we have a Red Queen and White Queen from Looking Glass with chess piece warriors, and during Alice's flashback, she remembers Humpty Dumpty, also from Looking Glass. Also, if this has a chess motiff, why is there a Knave of Hearts? Where are the Kings?

* I'm surprised at how violent this is. There's quite a bit of blood described, which I have absolutely no problem with, but will be very surprised if it all makes it on-screen.

* I liked "Uhm from Umbrage."

* This may sound sadistic, but I liked the way the Red Queen utilized the animals as her servants. Some of their uses are pretty clever, and it makes the croquet game more relevant.

* The Red Queen's court all having fake features sounded strange at first, but it actually works in-context. I also loved that Woolverton utilized the processes of "uglification" and "derision."

* I wish both Queens had more active roles. I realize that since they're royalty, they let their subjects handle everything, but it would raise the stakes and make matters more personal had the two of them fought each other in battle. I know the White Queen explains that she can't kill, but she can at least use her powers for defensive purposes.

* The climax and ending are great. I know I said I don't quite buy Alice as a knight, but that doesn't mean the showdown isn't exciting. I loved the "six impossible things before breakfast." That felt truly Carrollian and in-character for Alice. The following scene with her back in the real world is priceless, and the final scene on the docks is lovely. I'm just confused about Alice's mother and sister and their connection with the Ascots. Lord Ascot says he thinks he knows a way that Alice can still be part of the family without marrying Hamish, then we cut to Alice's sister and mother on the ship with Lord Ascot. I appreciate subtleties in storytelling, but this one went over my head.

So overall, for a first draft, it's very good. I'm confident that most of my concerns will have been fixed once the final film rolls around.

[Disney Duster]

When a film I'm interested in is something original, then I try to remain as spoiler-free as possible, which is why I avoided screening reports and in-depth reviews for Up, and will do the same for The Princess and the Frog.

Well, The Princess and the Frog is based on, um, The Princess and the Frog (actually, just another title for The Frog Prince).

But um, so I read a little bit of what you said accidentally, and once agin they are trying to update a story's heroine, make her super resourceful and strong. I don't necessarily disagree with it being done because it's interesting, makes for interesting development to watch...it's just annoying how they consciously try so hard to make butt-kicking heroines these days.

But Alice is older, so it's okay. This a new film, a new Alice.

Which brings me to what I really think is sooooo wrong.

Tim Burton finally gets his hands on Alice in Wonderland, what everyoen has been waiting for.

OH NO wait it's really a sequel to Alice in Wonderland.

We got jipped.

I want to see Tim Burton direct real Alice in Wonderland/Looking Glass hybrid.

[Disneykid]

Tim Burton finally gets his hands on Alice in Wonderland, what everyoen has been waiting for.

OH NO wait it's really a sequel to Alice in Wonderland.

We got jipped.

I want to see Tim Burton direct real Alice in Wonderland/Looking Glass hybrid.

Actually, if this has been a straight Wonderland/Looking Glass adaptation, Tim wouldn't have done it. He says he hasn't really liked any of the Alice movies he's seen because they're just too fragmented for his liking. He finds the characters and ideas intriguing, though, and the fact that those were coupled with an actual narrative was what drew him to this project. So as much as I would've loved to have seen Carroll's actual stories as told through Burton's eye, that was never going to be a possibility, and this new story is the closest we're going to get.

[Disney Duster]

Hey, that does not mean that he wouldn't have done:

The original Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass with an actual narrative.

Isn't that what we originally thought this was going to be in the first place?

Yes.

Alice's first, original adventure(s), just told more cohesively.

! : )

[Mason_Ireton]

The more and more I read news bout this production, the more I get alil worried bout Tim Burton replacing Walt's Alice flilm....

Now before you all jump down my neck let me explain......

we think of these classic stories (I.E. Alice, Pinocchio, Jungle Book) Most people remember the Disney verisons instead of the real matterial, now we all grew up mainly on the Disney films and our grand/parents grew up having the real stories read to them. I'm actualy interested in this spin (if that's what we can call it) on Alice's Wonderland, though I didn't read the screen that Scaps posted, from what I've read bout the afterthought....it seems like it's tryin to be a epic film (which I can see here/there)

Eventualy by mid Fall we'll see a teaser trailer for Tim Burton's Alice In WonderLand and then we'll have a better sense of which direction Mr. burton is leading us.

[Siren]

I kinda think....who cares if Burton's takes over Disney's version. I personally always felt Chuck Jone's Mowgli's Brothers was MUCH better than Disney's Jungle Book, mostly because it stuck to the original story much better. They are all adaptations. Writers putting spins on other works. If one becomes "outdated" due to the culture we are in now, then so be it.

[yukitora]

I don't think Burton's version will ever outdate the animated version. It may be regarded higher or more sucessful, but Alice in Wonderland will always be that famous, somewhat trippy animated film. Some people in my generation don't even know it was based on a book. The fact that they aren't even the same medium should reassure people this.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came and everyone loved it, but people still refer to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as the classic film.

I'd also like to note that there are three very dark adaptations of the Alice story in production right now. American McGee's Alice in Wonderland, Marilyn Manson's new horror flick and this one. They're all quite big projects too. Chances are this film will be muddled in the big mess of Alice in generations time.

[Disney's Divinity]

I'd also like to note that there are three very dark adaptations of the Alice story in production right now. American McGee's Alice in Wonderland, Marilyn Manson's new horror flick and this one. They're all quite big projects too. Chances are this film will be muddled in the big mess of Alice in generations time.

Well, there's another adaptation in work as well, though I'm not sure if it's dark or not (though they said it'll be similar to Tin Man's version of Oz, which was dark-ish). It's a Sci-Fi movie, and it has Kathy Bates as the Queen of Hearts and Tim Curry as Dodo. Yeah, it's not really big budget, but all these Alice things at once. All we need is for Disney to re-release its film right about now.

[Disneykid]

USA Today has posted some new images from the film here:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/new ... htm#photo1

The three concept art pieces are absolutely gorgeous, especially the garden of live flowers (which actually aren't in Woolverton's first draft, interestingly enough). I hope that means more characters not in the leaked screenplay will show up. I'd love to see the Mock Turtle, the Gryphon, the Lion, and the Unicorn, in particular.

Johnny's Mad Hatter looks even more outrageous than that leaked photo, but it's still close enough to prove to the naysayers that it was real. I like the look, even if it is rather creepy. I hope it doesn't make his relationship with Alice harder to swallow.

I absolutely love Helena's Red Queen. She's definitely got a Queen Elizabeth vibe going on, which is a nice touch. I like that even though she's called the Red Queen, they still have a Queen of Hearts motiff throughout her costume and makeup.

I'm not sure how I feel about Anne's White Queen, though. It's lovely, but dare I say a little too simple (though that's probably the point). Perhaps the rest of the costume will have more to it.

Overall, I'm not disappointed so far. As I expected, this is going to be pure eye-candy. I just hoped the story's been worked on a bit (which it seems to be) so it can stand up to the amazing visuals.

[lord-of-sith]

Woah!

This isn't really what I expected to see as the first pics, but I really like it!

Helena looks A LOT like Better Midler in Hocus Pocus! Not that it's a bad thing, but the hair and lips are strikingly similar.

Johnny and Anne look pretty much how I expected (having seen the original Johnny pic).

[daydreamer22010]

USA Today has posted some new images from the film here:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/new ... htm#photo1

I rather like Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, very simplistic and exquisite

I think the purpose of the Red queen's digitally swelled head is meant to signify that she feels she is the HBIC.....lol

and the photo of J Depp is rather....intriguing..

[jimdotbeep]

The Best part about this is that since this isn't a sequeal is can't ruin the original.

[blackcauldron85]

Well, BlueSkyDisney says that this is a sequel, jimdotbeep...unless you meant that since this is a sequel, it can't ruin the original...

Does anyone else think that Johnny looks a bit like Elijah Wood? And, wow, the Tweedles look nothing like I would've expected them to!!! The flowers look awesome!

[Old Fish Tale]

Two stills more here and there!

[UmbrellaFish]

Burton's take on the Tweedles looks very intriguing, and I am really liking Anne Hathaway as the White Queen. And I love the garden of talking flowers! I just might end up checking out this film in theaters.