The Movie
Blasphemous as it might seem to many, there's a good reason that this movie has been hailed as "Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland." The accomplished filmmaker has taken a sampling of author Lewis Carroll's terms and iconography and transformed them into something uniquely his own. In this script by Linda Woolverton (one of the writers of Beauty and the Beast, and it shows), Alice is no longer a girl but a bold, willful woman (newcomer Mia Wasikowska) in an oppressive age. Fleeing an unwanted marriage proposal, she tumbles down a mysterious hole and arrives in "Underland," a darkly fantastical place of animals who talk and people who behave most erratically. Two rival sister Queens, Red and White, are at war with one another, and the reclamation of a magical sword and subsequent slaying the Jabberwocky dragon could tilt the balance of power in favor of the forces of good. If this doesn't sound like your parents'--or children's--Alice in Wonderland, there's an explanation late in the film that helps us make sense of all the eye-popping nonsense.
For another perspective, check out Joe Lozitio's review of the theatrical release of Alice in Wonderland.
The Picture
Alice was created on a combination of 35mm film and digital video, which contributes to its unique idiosyncrasies. Some fine mists that should show compression artifacts are surprisingly clean, but video noise is frequent elsewhere within the screen-filling 1.78:1 frame, particularly in the shadows. Colors are gorgeous, even when they seem a bit exaggerated. With all of the ongoing technological advances, I did not expect the extensive digital animation to look so conspicuously computer-generated, frankly, sometimes lacking that final bit of polish, or the motion can feel choppy, with a videogame-quality look to many of the virtual sets. The blacks too are largely dead zones. Maybe in the 3D theatrical showings (this disc is 2D), audiences were too distracted to notice these shortcomings.
The Sound
The 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio sound however is a standout in ways both big and small. I appreciated the subtle touches like the distinctive sound of riding inside a stagecoach, or hiding inside a teapot. Directionality is sharp, as when a cup is thrown overhead and breaks behind us. The descent into the rabbit hole is a bombastic surround mix, and all of Underland is wonderfully alive, with unseen critters or the fluid movement of the Cheshire Cat or when we are encircled by giant mechanical playing cards. Action scenes are particularly aggressive, and big critters like the Bandersnatch have a solid bass presence. Play it loud to match the impact of the visuals.
The Extras
The Blu-ray contains two themed collections of featurettes, both in HD. "Wonderland Characters" is a six-parter (28 minutes total) that explores various aspects of those populating this strange place; casting the actors, choreographing them and more. "Making Wonderland" (19-and-a-half minutes total) is a bit broader, covering everything from Danny Elfman's music to the edible props. Disc One is also BD-Live-enabled. Disc Two is a standard-definition DVD with a subset of the above special features, while Disc Three is a DVD-ROM carrying a Digital Copy of Alice in Wonderland for either iTunes or Windows Media.
Final Thoughts
As good as the extras are, they do not represent the best that Blu-ray (no Bonus View), or even DVD (no audio commentary) has to offer. Is Disney holding back for a more-special edition, possibly in 3D? Alice's prompt arrival on home video is no-doubt meant to assuage its legions of fans, and so we're grateful at least for this three-disc set's eagerness to please.
Product Details
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