Hollywood Product: Alice in Wonderland (1)

Burton and his design team pig out on visual splendors for the classic’s adaptation

By Curt Holman Friday March 5, 2010 10:00 AM EST

GENRE: Adventure fantasy with twee literary origins (assuming Tim Burton movie doesn’t count as a genre)

THE PITCH: Before her engagement to a rich stuffed shirt, 19-year-old Alice Kingsley (Mia Wasikowska) makes an unexpected journey to the wonderland of her childhood dreams where she must team with old acquaintances, including the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter).

Alice In Wonderland

3 out of 5 stars. Directed by Tim Burton. Stars Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska. Rated PG. Opens Fri., March 5. At area theaters.

MONEY SHOTS: Burton and his design team pig out on visual splendors, from the Red Queen’s disproportionate, bobble-like head to her retinue of talking animal attendants. Tiny Alice takes flight on the brim of the Mad Hatter’s top hat. Alice wins the favor of the huge, canine Bandersnatch. As armored playing cards clash with ambulatory chess pieces, Alice faces off with the dragon-like Jabberwocky, which wittily resembles the illustration from the original book.

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