Alice In Wonderland

Alice In Wonderland
Cast: Animation
Studio: Disney
Rating: 7.5/10

Corporate Line: Robert Rodriguez returns with the mythic guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), in the final installment of the Mariachi/Desperado trilogy. The saga continues as El Mariachi makes his way across a rugged landscape on the blood trail of Barrillo (Willem Dafoe), a cartel kingpin with one last score to settle who is planning a coup d’etat against the president of Mexico . Enlisted by Sands (Johnny Depp), a corrupt CIA agent, El Mariachi demands retribution, and the adventure begins against a backdrop of revolution, greed, and revenge.

The Film: It’s funny how a film released in 1951 seems to fit better in the here and now than the past. My grandmother and mother both disliked the film. They didn’t get it, they couldn’t relate. I wonder if it is because the girl has attitude.

Alice was something that many children weren’t supposed to be back in the 50s; independent. Many believed the film to be a flop when it was released and Disney issued an apology regarding the film. It wasn’t because he was embarrassed or because it didn’t make bags of money. Disney worked on these decades back when he was animating in Kansas City when he had a desire to work on the character from the Lewis Carroll book.

The voice of Kathryn Beaumont is the voice of Alice and even that tone comes in far and away different from any character in Disney’s vaults. Cinderella was a woman who couldn’t stand up for herself and Sleeping Beauty seems carried by the wind without a care. Alice is the complete opposite.

The best parts of the film are the vivid adventures that Alice takes. There are wonderful characters that take on a life of their own even to the point of outshining Alice . Films could be made just on those wonderful characters that steal the show. And although the film seems to come to a screeching halt it’s unforgettable nonetheless.

Extras: There is a wonderful short about the development of the movie in 1923. Operation Wonderland gives us some insight on the creation of the film in 1951. The second disc appears to be added on just to give us the feeling of more bang for our buck but it’s not necessary.

DVD Features:

o Disc 1:
o Remastered and restored with an all-new transfer
o Virtual Wonderland Party activities including riddles, silly song & dance, Teapot orchestra, Mad Hatter Says, and other games and stories
o “Thru the Mirror” animated short with Mickey Mouse
o “I’m Odd” never before heard song
o 2 Sing along songs
o Set-top game
o Disc 2:
o “One Hour in Wonderland” documentary (60 mins.)
o “An Alice Comedy: Alice ‘s Wonderland” featurette (8 mins.)
o “Operation Wonderland” featurette (11 mins.)
o Excerpt from “The Fred Warring Show” (30 mins.)
o Deleted Material Featurettes: “From Wonderland to Never Land,” “Song Demos,” Deleted Storyboard Concept: Alice Daydreams in the Park”
o Original Walt Disney TV introductions and trailers
o Art galleries
o Plus a Wonderland match card game set
o Number of discs: 2

Frankly: I haven’t seen Alice In Wonderland since I was a child and to be honest I didn’t care for it much then. Seeing it again I realized why this holds the imagination of so many. It isn’t epic like Beauty and the Beast or even Fantastia but Alice in Wonderland is spectacular which is more than many films could hope to be. Children truly love this and if your child hasn’t seen it it’s a must for their viewing rotation.

+ Charlie Craine


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