Alice in Wonderland (Live-Action)

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Elladorine
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Post by Elladorine »

disneyboy20022 wrote:
Flanger-Hanger wrote: I dunno, maybe that's why Scaps left?
Oh Scaps...where art thou Al :?
:(
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Post by DisneyJedi »

Umm.... what happened to Scaps? Is he okay? 8(
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Post by Just Myself »

So the admins can see if the quote disappears....
Disney's Divinity wrote:Jesus. What the hell is wrong with this forum? = Jesus. What the hell is wrong with this forum?
Whoa there, let's calm down. That was unnecessary.

As for Myself, I saw the film last night, with somewhat low expectations. After a long day at Disney with a good friend, we decided to see Alice at the AMC Pleasure Island 24 theater. The 2D 10:00pm show was sold out, so we saw it at 10:45 in 3D ETX, short for Enchanced Theater eXperience, which is a new format AMC's coming out with to rival the more renowned and well-known IMAX format. The theater was very impressive - a tad smaller than your conventional IMAX theater, amazing picture and sound quality, and one of the most comfortable balcony seats I've ever been in. Why the IMAX corporation declined upgrading this theater and instead moving in at the horrid Regal Waterford Lakes theater is beyond me.

But enough about the theater. I actually really liked the movie in the end. I didn't expect much, since the trailers didn't really make it seem like a must-see in theaters. However, I really liked Tim Burton's journey into Wonderland. Alice seemed a little flat at times, but overall by the time the film ends Mia Wasikowska created a good Alice character. Johnny Depp's Hatter and Crispin Glover as the Knave of Hearts were great performance too, but it's Helena Bonham Carter's turn as the Red Queen that really steals the show. After a barely-there appearence in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a mediocre role as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, I didn't expect much from her, but her performance was equally funny and menacing, in a mad sort of way. My favorite character, just like in the original animated version and other tellings, was the Cheshire Cat. Stephen Rea's droll humor and his somewhat subdued voicing of Cheshur was delightful. :)

Possibly the biggest reservation I had going into the film was the 3D. Up until now, I was only convinced that 3D was truly stellar in animated films like Up and Disney's A Christmas Carol, or in films previously filmed in the format, like Avatar, and knowing that Alice's 3D was done entirely in post production didn't entice me. I'd planned to see the 2D showing, but after reluctantly purchasing my 3D ticket, I was impressed. The live action sequences had a nice subtlty to them, and it didn't hurt my eyes to look at like certain parts of the trailer did. But the CGI enchancements were fantastic. The Jabberwocky and the Rabbit Hole were marvelous to behold, and made it feel worth the upgrade pricing on the ticket. (Of course, it also helped that they attached the Tron Legacy teaser to the film - SQUEEE!)

Overall, it wasn't as breathtaking to behold in 3D as Avatar, and it's script had some shortcomings, but this was a great experience and I'd gladly see it again if given the opportunity. Image

Cheers,
JM :thumb:
Cheers,
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Post by slave2moonlight »

I saw it today and absolutely loved it! I am short on time right now, so I won't go into detail. I heard it was going to be a sequel a long time ago, rather than a retelling, and the flashbacks to the real story made me wish that film had been made in its entirety too (though I suppose it would be much like the Disney one or other versions done before), but this film told a fantastic new story. Really loved it. The lead actress, though not EXACTLY how I would have liked Alice to look (you'd have to find a British Elisabeth Harnois to completely satisfy me there), played the role beautifully. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to have it on DVD. The 3D technology still fails to blow me away, but the movie itself: excellent.

Oh, and don't get me started on the TRON Legacy trailer! Sooo cool to see the throwbacks to the original! Flynn's arcade, Bruce Boxlietner! Up till now, I only knew that Bridges was in it. And the Toy Story 3 trailer was fantastic too!
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Post by Margos »

Flanger-Hanger wrote:
Disney's Divinity wrote:Jesus. What the hell is wrong with this forum?
I dunno, maybe that's why Scaps left?
Did he actually leave? I just thought he hadn't been here for a while.... I miss seeing Grommit around these parts! :(
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Post by Wonderlicious »

Scaps has said that he sometimes takes a month off now and then for various reasons. I'm sure he'll be back sometime soon.
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Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Post by Disney Duster »

Disneykid, I think what you told me ifpart of why I expected those parts in the beginning!

Also, I thought that the White Queen didn't want them to talk about Alice supposed to be the one because it would make Alice feel bad or feel pressured. But you could be right to and you probably are more right, I just would like to think better of the White Queen though that's not a mean thing to do, either, trying to make Alice feel supported, maybe, too.
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Post by Margos »

Wonderlicious wrote:Scaps has said that he sometimes takes a month off now and then for various reasons. I'm sure he'll be back sometime soon.
Oh, that's good. As long as he comes back eventually.
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Post by blackcauldron85 »

http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/ ... alice.html
...Director Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" in 3D ruled the foreign theatrical universe over the weekend for an exceptionally strong second stanza -- down just 24% from its opening round -- with an estimated $76 million in boxoffice draw from 6,621 screens in 48 markets ...
... Its worldwide tally is $430 million. ...
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Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Post by Disney Duster »

So Disneykid, now what is your favorite version of Alice in Wonderland. And also, what do you think is the best version?

I recently heard there was a British 1972 version that was really faithful and really good.

From what I can remember (I promise I'll see it again soon!) I think the Walt Disney version is my favorite and also the best. And as has been said, Katherine Beaumont's Alice was better than Mia Wasikowska's.
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Disneykid
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Post by Disneykid »

The 1972 version is rather blah, in my opinion. It's extremely faithful...too faithful, in fact. It's so determined to re-enact the book word-for-word that it throws pacing out the window, and I felt like the direction was pretty lifeless. Most of the actors just say their lines without any extra effort.

My favorite version is the 1985 CBS miniseries. If I had to be honest with myself, Disney's animated version stands as the best. While not a literal adaptation, it understands Wonderland far better than most other films and makes it much more memorable. It's slick, creative, and feels far ahead of its time. The only reason I give the CBS miniseries a slight nudge ahead is because it leaves me with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. I realize Wonderland shouldn't be like that at all, but that series managed to be really sweet without betraying the insanity (and even rudeness) of the characters. It's also very faithful and features events usually left out of most Alice films. So while I think Disney's animated film is the best film, the CBS one is the most likable one for me, if that makes any sense. Here's how I rank the Alice films I've seen:

1. 1985 CBS Miniseries
2. 1951 Disney Animation
3. 2010 Disney Live-Action/CG
4. 1966 BBC TV
5. 1999 NBC TV
6. 1933 Paramount Film
7. 1970s Rankin & Bass Animation
8. 1998 British Through the Looking Glass
9. 1972 British Musical
10. 1966 Through the Looking Glass TV Musical
11. 2009 Syfy Miniseries
12. 1988 Czech Live Action/Stop Motion
13. 1988 Burbank Animation
14. 1903 Silent Film
Last edited by Disneykid on Sat May 22, 2010 2:09 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

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That's great. You seem to explain why people didn't like Walt's Alice but do like the CBS series and the Tim Burton one. It seems to give you this satisfied feeling, like Alice was touched by the charactes.

But, a film can also warn you with it's characters, or make you go through a moody experience to learn from. Though some critics no this too, so maybe it's just the lack of story, and not many film critics know of and review a TV miniseries.

I don't remember if you explained any more about why the CBS series is so loved in that one pm you sent me.

I think I would really love the Czech Alice. Nowadays it really seems like...may cup of tea. :) I'm surprised it got 100% positive reviews on Rotten Tamatoes, though! Usually weird stuff divides people more.

But I think, as you said, Walt's Alice really nails what that book was about, with enough of an entertaining and emotional heroine and dramatic moments to make it good for a book that doesn't really have the kind of typical story critics think films should have.

I am glad you liked this newest Disney one enough for it to be in the top 3, now, though! I liked it a lot too, it may be my second or third fav of Alice too, but like most people, hoped for more.
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Post by blackcauldron85 »

The MoCap Hatter...
http://blueskydisney.blogspot.com/2010/ ... atter.html


NAB Show Brings Attendees Down the 3D Rabbit Hole with an Eye-Popping “Alice in Wonderland” Afternoon
http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10037800.asp
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Post by SillySymphony »

Finally got to see it, and in 3D! 8)

I was very surprised. From all the reviews trashing the movie and all the nitpicking going on, I was convinced that for sure this movie was a flop. (This furthered my hesitance in seeing it in the theater.) I am so glad I didn't listen to them!

My Review (mild spoilers):
The movie was a thrilling, maddening experience.
Visuals: Out of this world beautiful. It was truly Burton's Wonderland.
Cast: The supporting Wonderland/Underland cast was fun to watch: *hugs Bayard and McTwisp*, *carefully high five's Mallymkun,* *gives spoon to Thackery* and *smiles at Chessur*. The main cast was a letdown for me. Helena was an awesome Red Queen, but everybody else was kind of "meh."
Emotion: I didn't care for how Mia showed very little emotion, (although I see how Alice’s personality was made to contrast the Hatter’s.) Most of the movie she had a blank face and at parts it was hard to sympathize with her because she seemed so washedout.
Motives: I didn't get the White Queen's motive, (Simply "I win!?" To be rid of her sister? Power? Harmony? Her mysterious vows? Some evil purpose never mentioned?) And what was the Knave's motive??
Comparison: Some people thought PatF had a bit of "Wizard of Ozish" feel to it and I believe AiW does too. I mean, c'mon, girl wants to wake up and go home, friends try to help her, there's two rival "witches"... Not that I'm complaining, it's just similar.
I would see the whole movie again just to watch the futterwacken! :lol: x10

Even with all of the unanswered questions, it's still worth seeing in theaters. Go see it before time runs out!
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Post by blackcauldron85 »

Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland: How illustrator Dawn Brown decorated the Red Queen’s Castle
http://animatedviews.com/2010/tim-burto ... ns-castle/


VIDEO: ‘CREATING WONDERLAND’ – A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT ‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’ PROGRESSIONS
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-new ... gressions/
(via disneyreport.com)
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Post by ajmrowland »

nice vid :D
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Post by pinkrenata »

I finally saw the movie yesterday and here's my take:

The whole point of Wonderland is that everything is nutty, nothing makes sense, and it doesn't matter that nothing makes sense because nobody seems to care much and anything is apt to change at any time anyway.

That said, an epic battle of good versus evil really is out of place if you're trying to stick to the true nature of Wonderland. Yes, I know there's the issue of the White Queen versus the Red Queen in Through the Looking Glass but, as mentioned above, there's a lot more quirk than dark.

Otherwise, besides the whole Gothic tone (why does Alice have huge shadows under her eyes?), the movie was decent enough.

Kelvin, I saw your rankings and was wondering where Care Bears in Wonderland fits...
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Post by Disneykid »

I'm ashamed to say I've never seen Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland, which is odd not just because I'm an Alice fan, but also because I was a big Care Bears fan as a kid. I'd seen the first two movies many times and watched the tv series regularly, so I'm not sure how this one managed to escape me. I never even thought to look for it on YouTube, but there it is. I'll be sure to check it out later this week after I've finished my review for the Disney animated one.
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Post by DisneyFan09 »

Sorry for bumping, but I saw the movie today and I must say I enjoyed it a lot. It was a cute and adorable film and I don't understand why it got so many hostile reviews.
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