Wonderful world of Alice

Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska and Anne Hathaway in a scene from Alice in Wonderland. (AP Photo/Disney)

IT’S been 50 years since Disney released its animated adaptation of from Alice in Wonderland, and they have decided to have another crack at it, this time in live-action with all the 3D imagery of the 21st century.

With kooky director, Tim Burton at the helm it had all the potential to become the weirdest, darkest trip down the rabbit hole anyone had ever seen.

Instead it’s quite tame and sadly not very entertaining.

Despite the title, this movie is not the original Alice in Wonderland and instead tells the story of a 19-year-old Alice who has made a return trip down the rabbit hole.

As soon as she arrives, her old acquaintances tell her she must end the Red Queen’s reign by slaying the horrible monster the Jabberwocky.

Australian actress Mia Wasikowska does a fine job as Alice, even if she looks a little sickly, but one can’t help but feel the other characters have kind of lost the plot.

Johnny Depp isn’t nearly mad enough as the Mad Hatter, and if anything his relationship with Alice is sentimental and soppy.

In much the same way Helena Bonham Carter isn’t harsh enough as the Red Queen.

Another thing to keep in mind is this movie is not really appropriate for children under the age of 10 as it has some pretty gruesome violence at times.

• Thanks to our friends at Reading Cinemas Redbank, The Satellite has a double movie pass to give away. For your chance to win, email your full name, address and phone number to gemma.blair@qtcn.com.au. Please note: this movie pass is a general one and does not need to be used to see the movie reviewed this week.