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Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

List Price: $9.98
Your Price: $9.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a satisfying interpretation of a classic
Review: Unlike the vapid and cloying confections of Disney and Hollywood, this version of the Reverend Dodgeson's tale does not assume that its audience is mentally retarded. Instead, it operates on many layers simultaneously, so that a three year old can watch captivated while its parent can enjoy the allusions and subtlety. The under-fives may not catch the Oxford-Cambridge rivalry that surfaces in the Red Queen's courtroom, but they will enjoy the Hatter's impromptu rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle" while accompanied by the March Hare on banjo. In this rare case, the cliche of "something for everyone" is actually true.

The acting is of a superior quality and there are some amusing vignettes, particularly from Gene Wilder as the Mock Turtle, who duets with Donald Sinden's Griffin (and ignores the interjected elocution lesson). The special effects are additive rather than scene-stealing, which is how it should be. Although Whoopi Goldberg's name is employed to market this video in the USA, her role is in fact quite slender and one of the least successful. This video should be purchased for its wit and elegance rather than because one expects to see one's favorite Hollywood stars in cameo roles.

In conclusion, this is a delightful production of taste and charm, quite unlike the sterile and mind-numbing fare that issues from North America. Watch it and enjoy - and then think how much more interesting and exuberant life would be if Disney and Hollywood should cease to exist, replaced instead by the likes of those who bring us this modern-day enchantment of Alice in her wonderland.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A rather dull movie........
Review: I expected it to be really fun. It was kind of difficult to understand. I think the cookie and mushroom parts were little bit interesting. But, the race? It was rather stupid. I mean, there's people running all around the 'room' and there's no end, no beginning. It's kind of funny where the Queen keeps on shouting, "OFFF WITH HER HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Alice was a so-so person.

I think adults would like this movie. It was rather dull and uninteresting in some parts, especially the race. After you finish, it leaves an dull space in your stomach. Other movies with Woopi Goldberg such as "Cinderella" is much more fun. I mean, she just grins,grins, and grins as the Chester Cat.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Pepper! ... More Pepper!
Review: This version of the classic by Lewis Carroll sets Alice as getting ready to sing in front of strangers and because she dreads this, she escapes to Wonderland and so on... A nice take on the classic tale although the order of events is completely messed up. The definitive version of Alice has to be the 1985 mini-series version now available on two seperate videos.

This movie is full of humour thanks to Martin Short and Whoopie Goldberg (Everyone is mad here...) and must say that Miranda Richardson was not quite the Queen of Hearts I expected, with her very high and intolerable shrieky voice. But other than that, it is pure fun from beginning to end. The songs aren't exceptionnal but it is a nice contemporary take on the timeless tale.

I still like this movie because any rendition of Lewis Carroll's stories drives me MAD!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Entertaining with a possibilty of consecutive viewing!
Review: One of the realist quotes I heard was in this movie when Alice in Wonderland said its rude to make personal comments. I advice u to consider investing sometime in watching this movie if u have a lot of spare time.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Special Effects and Improvements
Review: Unlike what most reviews will say, the "star-studded" cast is not the real attraction for the movie. I believe that the special effects are the biggest draw. Not only does the movie help you understand some of the unclearly worded dialouge for the time of the story, but it helps you better visualize the vague descriptions for magic in the book. The improvements and alterations made to the story also help it flow better. I think the addition of "Through the Looking Glass" sequences combines the best of Caroll's book into one incredible movie, instead of having to go out and buy 2 movies of each book (quite convenient). Also, like I said, the special effects make the movie seamless. After all, this is Wonderland, and I don't think the effects were over-used at all. Even the unexplainable effects(like what's the deal with the Duchess's hovering chair?) are worked in nicely to give the world a strange twist. All in all, with good-enough musical underscore and songs, the movie leaves you with a good taste in your mouth! However, does anyone know why she talks to a tree about which way to go? Bye!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Worth watching!
Review: I've watched this and the Disney versions of Alice in Wonderland, but the 1999 Alice could outdo Disney's Alice any day. Wonderfully done.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Can anyone say BORING?!?!?
Review: Let me start by saying that I LOVE the books "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass". I grab up every movie, book, etc. that has to do with them. HOWEVER, this movie was SO BORING that I actually FELL ASLEEP while watching it!!

First, the movie tries REALLY hard for the Wizard of Oz/Labyrinth concept of having parts of the fantasy look like the things from the character's life. This is NOT in the book at all and just takes away from the story. Also, the movie suffers from the curse of trying to give Alice a reason to go through the story (there isn't much of one in the book, she just keeps going). However, unlike other movies where it is mentioned once (like "Alice has to keep going to find a way home"), Alice's need to overcome her fear of singing infront of people at a party becomes the most important thing in the movie. This only takes away from the original story, not adds to it. Also, the movie suffers from the second curse- mixing "Alice in Wonderland" with "Through the Looking Glass," though the first curse is more horrible than the second.

Yes, the special effects are nice. However, there is a bit of overkill with them, which again distracts. (ex- Why does the Duchess need to be floating or Alice going -through- a book?) Also, when I saw "Jim Henson's Creature Shop" in the credits, I thought that it would be wonderful. However, I was terribly disappointed. (ex- The White Rabbit is just plain awfull. It looks like it's going to fall apart.)

Please, don't feed into the hype and star-cast of this movie. Spend your money on the books instead, use your imagination instead of special effects, and get the REAL story.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: fairly average effort
Review: Despite boasting an exellent cast, and wonderful visual effects, this made-for-TV version of ALICE IN WONDERLAND fails to catch fire.

Topping off the cast is sadly-miscast Tina Majorino (CORRINA CORRINA) as Alice. She tackles the British accent as best she can, but her Alice comes off as a spoilt, immature little brat.

The cast includes Liz Smith, Whoopi Goldberg, Miranda Richardson, Dilys Laye, George Wendt and Martin Short, and they are all good, but it all comes down to the pivotal role of Alice that lets the production down.

The visual effects are marvellous, as is the original score, but I fail to see what the fuss is all about. Buy the Disney version or the musical version with Natalie Gregory instead.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: It's Worth the Time
Review: Well, certain elements of the book are missing. Nevertheless, this is a delightful way to spend a lazy afternoon. The scenery is beautiful and the effects are done well; the characters (especially Short, Wilder, and Ustinov) are convincing. Even though the movie does get silly at times, it is never boring. Even if you never read the book, you should watch this. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: An Utter Travisty!
Review: This is one of the worst renditions of Alice in Wonderland I have ever seen. While I really wanted to enjoy the film's high production values I couldn't becuase everything else was so poorly done.

To begin with the film really gets tedious. While the sets are very elaberate the direction is simply boring. Who ever directed this really needs to polish their technique. Scenes are flat rather than sureal and they tend to really drag.

Worse are the characters. Half are brilliantly re-created by Jim Henson's creature shop. Unfortunatly the other half are just actors attempting to act like animals. The birds from the Cacus race have become a bunch of old people. Phil the lizard is know an Irish man. While this film has an excellent cast, they all manage to give lousy performances. Their acting is so over-the-top that it stops being funny or amusing and instead is just irritating. Alice is simply awful.

However, even the flaws mentioned above don't explain the true problem of the movie. The origional Alice in Wonderland(and Through the Looking Glass) didn't have any real moral to it. It can be interpreted in many ways but it is anything but simple. The film, rather inserts a moral that was never in the book. The movie begins with Alice frightend because here parents want her to sing in front of a bunch of guests. Becuase of this, the whole film turns into a simplistic story of Alice trying to find her courage. Just about every scene from the book has been distorted and characters are constantly telling Alice "The show must go on!" or "You must sing." The fact that the writers had the audacity to think they knew Lewis Carrol's novel better then he did is plain ludicrous.

If you want to know what Alice in Wonderland or Alice Through the Looking Glass was like, read the books. If you're not up to that then see the Disney movie. Just don't watch this travisty of a film.


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