Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton messes up with his latest film, a confused adaptation—or “extension”—of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland books. Playing like a sequel to the infamous story of the little girl falling down the rabbit hole, this film has more in common with Steven Spielberg’s lousy Peter Pan sequel Hook than with Burton’s best films. That’s not to say Alice is lousy. It isn’t, and there are some pleasures to be had, especially if you catch a 3-D screening. Johnny Depp’s bright orange Mad Hatter eyebrows look like they will end up poking up your nose. As for a coherent story, Burton never lets one jump off the screen, even with the funny glasses. The film features a 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returning to Underland after falling through a rabbit hole during her engagement party. Wasikowska looks sleepy in the role, and Depp simply overdoes it. Destined to be one of the year’s bigger disappointments.