Bill and I enjoyed an excellent evening out last night. True, it featured elements of "old people-ness." No, we didn't get the "early bird special" at Hometown Buffet, but we DID enjoy the new cranberry and chicken salad at Carl's Jr. which, if you take advantage of their current special, comes with a free Coke Zero. And we DID make full use of the senior citizen discount at the movie theater. And, yes, we DID see a Disney movie, but once you introduce Tim Burton and Johnny Depp into the mix all resemblance between our date night and a short bus excursion from Shady Acres retirement home is swiftly put to rest.
We saw Disney's "Alice in Wonderland."
Alice is all grown up now and about to become engaged to an aristocratic dweeb with no chin and digestive issues. In panic, she runs away and falls down the rabbit hole, only eventually realizing that she has done this all before. This Wonderland (actually "Underland"--Alice misunderstood on her first visit) is not a cheery, colorful place. No one sings OR dances. It is dark, witty, interesting and macabre. I am a little out of touch with what scares kids these days, but I don't think I would take anyone under eight to this version. Over eight, I would take them more than once and they would love it! Johnny Depp creates a Mad Hatter who is as complex and individual a character as any you have met. My only complaint is that the last fifteen minutes let the rest of the film down a little. It's a bit too pat, a bit too quick to tie everything up in a tidy package of "What Alice learned and how her life will now be better." A little like when an athletic team is WAY ahead and puts in the second string at the very end of the game. Maybe Tim Burton gave his assistant the director's chair on the last day of shooting and told him to wind everything up while he went for coffee.
I judge all movies by this simple criteria: "Would I pay to own the DVD?" And in the case of this new "Alice in Wonderland," I would answer yes.
Looks interesting, I kind of want to see it if I can convince Heather.
ReplyDeleteGood review. We want to see it. Maybe two cute, skinny grandparents would like a little visitor next week so we could go?
ReplyDeleteWe saw it and took all the girls. Ellie lasted about 15 minutes, Liv about the first half and Abby enjoyed the whole thing. Our kids are not the most sensitive movie-goers (they love Corpse Bride and Nightmare Before Christmas) so they weren't too shaken by this one. I thought the visuals were great and I always enjoy Tim Burton and Johnny Depp (although don't all his roles seem to sort of be the same w/ different teeth and hair?) I think I agree w/ your take on the ending. Overall a good film and I would buy it. My rule on buying DVDs is that they have to be kid ones. Because kids can watch the same movie a five times in a row. I feel like you really get your money's worth. I never buy DVDs for us. I have to fully forget the plot of a movie before I'll watch it again. OK, I think I've rambled enough :)
ReplyDeleteSince I find your book recommendations right up my ally, I'll be trusting your movie reviews as well.I may be taking myself to the movies next week. A matinee, of course.
ReplyDeleteI really want to see this but Sean isnt sold! Maybe I will take Ashton to a matinee he is pretty sophisticated for a six year old! Me and him went last week to Diary Of A Wimpy Kid which was pretty cute.
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