'Alice' interesting retelling

Welcome back to Wonderland, folks, or is it Underland?

One of the new year's most anticipated films, "Alice in Wonderland," tries to recreate a childhood classic and, as always with director Tim Burton, put a new twist to an old plot. The story is not meant to be a simple retelling of Lewis Carroll’s whimsical novels, but instead a new tale emerges.
           
Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is no longer a little girl; she is nearly a grown woman. And as every Victorian lady of the time it is her duty to marry – for money and titles if possible. She finds herself being pushed into an unwanted match, and under these circumstances Alice tumbles headfirst back into Wonderland.
          
The plot of this new film hinges heavily on Carroll's fanciful jabberwocky poem. It is Alice’s job to slay the fearsome beast and release the inhabitants of Underland from the tyrannical Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter).
             
As with any Burton film, everything emerged dark and twisted. And as with any Disney film, the work as a whole is generalized for a broader audience. Some aspects seem to be forced and a little off – such as the addition of the Hatter's famous riddle "How is a raven like a writing desk?" The inclusion of the line is obviously just a reason to stuff a few quotes in. But omitting a few moments, the film is a beautiful new chapter to Alice’s adventures.

I have heard many complaints thus far that the plot ruins the feel of Wonderland, and that it makes too much sense. This interpretation merely attempts to make sense of the senseless. Alice has grown, she is still the same dreamy girl but she is no longer a small child. This is reflected in the new, darker Wonderland.

I was worried that Johnny Depp’s interpretation would simply be a revisitation of some of his former roles. I was pleased, and disturbed, (albeit refreshingly) by Depp’s schizophrenic portrayal of the Hatter. He added a depth to the character I never before took into account. The Hatter was not merely a babbling loon who drank tea, he was a wonderfully fervent man who once had purpose, but lost it.
And while Depp was wonderful, Carter stole the show with her loud, brash Red Queen. She crafted a character so funny and endearing that I found myself almost wishing she would come out on top.
Set amongst an all-star cast, newcomer Mia Wasikowska performed commendably.  She brought a somber curiosity to Alice that contrasted well to the colorful backdrop of Wonderland.

I always saw Wonderland as an extension of Alice, of her childish imaginings, and of her as a person. Alice has matured and changed, and so has Wonderland. This retelling is also a story of choices and how you should make your own, not be pushed because people expect things of you.

“I am afraid you are mad. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” Alice’s encouraging words are entirely true; the world would be simply unbearable if everyone were completely sane.