BLU-RAY
REVIEW: ALICE IN WONDERLAND
05/31/10
OVERVIEW: Following a record-breaking theatrical performance, Tim Burton’s epic fantasy adventure ALICE IN WONDERLAND, Disney’s 4th biggest film of all time, takes its booming box-office success into the home with a Disney 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), 1-Disc Blu-ray and 1-Disc DVD on June 1, 2010, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
SYNOPSIS: Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice for a fantastical new adventure from Walt Disney Pictures and Tim Burton. Inviting and magical, ALICE IN WONDERLAND is an imaginative new twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. Alice (Mia Wasikowska), now 19 years old, returns to the whimsical world she first entered as a child and embarks on a journey to discover her true destiny. Wonderland is a world beyond your imagination and unlike anything you’ve seen before. The extraordinary characters you’ve loved come to life richer and more colorful than ever. There’s the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) and more. A triumphant cinematic experience – ALICE IN WONDERLAND is an incredible feast for your eyes, ears and heart that will captivate audiences of all sizes.
REVIEW: The Mad Hatter:
"There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter."
So what is Alice doing there? Is she mad, curious, or just there by accident? Or is she the needed champion to save Wonderland? Wow! What story can possibly ooze more fantasy goodness than Alice in Wonderland? What better story to produce for the big screen using today’s technology and movie making advancements? What movie can lend itself most appropriately for 3D viewing? What concept could be better for someone like Tim Burton to direct and add his touch and “dark” effect? This movie is all that and more. It is captivating, amazing, and magical. Part of that is probably the Disney effect. Actually, there is a scene that is reminiscent of the Haunted Mansion ride in Disney World . . . a small round room with no exit. Visually the movie is entrancing. Not quite as good as Avatar but not too far behind. The special effects are spectacular, as they would need to be in order for this production to be successful. Two of the better features of this film were the makeup and costumes which are made most obvious by the Mad Hatter (Johnny
Depp) and the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). Both features were very appropriate and well done.
The Red Queen: "Off with their heads!"
Yeah, we get a lot of that throughout the movie and I loved when she said it every time. One of the three biggest treats in this movie is Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. Oh boy, she was beyond excellent for this role. I believe Burton and Carter were made for each other because they fit perfectly together; she fits best in his movies and his movies need an actress like her to bring a character to life the way he would want it. This was one of her best roles and performances. Next treat is of course, none other than Mr.
Depp. He also fits perfectly in Burton’s movies and this is no exception. The Mad Hatter indeed, in this context, no one could have done it better. And then there’s Alice played by Mia
Wasikowska. Even though there is a hint of humbleness in her performance, she steals your attention whenever she is on the screen. Not knowing her well enough to know what to expect, her performance was sharp and she was also superbly cast for this picture. Oops, I lied, there is a fourth treat to this movie and that is Disney teaming up with Tim Burton to do this “wonderful” project. It’s kind of like putting diced filet mignon on a pizza . . . they are individually incredible but you would think that together it just wouldn’t match. Well, it actually tastes pretty good (not that I have tried filet mignon pizza but now that I mentioned it, it’s not a bad idea!). Now don’t worry because Tim does not go to complete darkness as he is capable of, i.e. Sweeney Todd, so the movie is legitimately PG and kid safe. He still does a killer job with it though. Crispin Glover as Stayne was also well cast but his performance was nothing to write home about. Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum was adorable and good comic relief. It seemed a little odd seeing Anne Hathaway play the White Queen, not that her performance was bad, just odd. What they did with the story was an interesting twist. You still get a lot of the classic story in that Alice follows her own footsteps in almost the exact same way but the twists give it more action, beef up the plot, and it turns this into a decent sequel. This is one fantasy adventure you might regret missing.
Film
Review
By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com
BLU-RAY:
The film is
presented in 1080P widescreen in a 1.78:1 aspect ration
preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just
flawless, bringing to perfection the special effects of the film. Not only the picture looks great in
this release, also the sound it is good, a 5.1 DTS-HD Master
Audio (48kHz/24bit) in English, Spanish and French that provides a
good complement to the picture. It also includes
English Spanish French
subtitles.
Alice In Wonderland
Combo Box is loaded with bonuses and features; It includes nine bonus features that take viewers deeper into the famous “Rabbit Hole” - exploring more of the world of Wonderland, its iconic characters and the making of the film. Features include the making of the Futterwacken Dance, a look inside the world of the Mad Hatter and Johnny Depp’s transformation, Tim Burton’s vision for the movie and its characters, the visual effects of growing and shrinking of Alice, costume designs,
music and stunts. Finally it also includes DVD copy of the
film and a Digital Copy.
Overall Alice in Wonderland
Blu-ray Combo delivers in all of it aspects. It is visually gorgeous
and loaded with bonus features making this release a must
have in anybody's collection. Like avatar we are going to
have to way for its 3D version release.
VIDEO:
1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen 1080P
AUDIO:
English
5.1 DTS-HD (Dolby Digital) Spanish and French 5.1 .
Subtitles - English Spanish
French Optional
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Finding Alice – It’s all things Alice. This featurette includes Tim Burton’s vision for the characters, differences from the book and Disney’s version of Alice and how she evolves as both a character and actor as she takes an adventure through Wonderland.
The Mad Hatter – Audiences are provided with a deeper look into the world of the Mad Hatter. Check out Johnny Depp’s early sketches, make-up, costumes and how they digitally enhanced his eyes.
Effecting Wonderland – A behind-the-scenes piece on the different technologies used to create some of the most beloved characters in the film – Stayne, Tweedledee, Tweedledum, Bandersnatch and the Red Queen.
The Futterwacken Dance – Futterwhat? Check out the making of the timeless dance called the Futterwacken.
The Red Queen – The creation of the Red Queen from start to finish, including early Tim Burton sketches showcasing costume designs, make-up and digital effects.
Time-Lapse: Sculpting the Red Queen – A short time-lapse piece showing Helena Bonham Carter as she gets her make-up done. A three-hour process can be watched in just a few short minutes.
The White Queen – An interview with Anne Hathaway, who plays Wonderland’s good queen, about her character’s journey throughout the process of the film.
Scoring Wonderland – Composer Danny Elfman and Tim Burton discuss the music for the movie.
Stunts of Wonderland – A featurette highlighting some of the biggest stunts in the film.
Making the Proper Size – An inside look at the visual effects process of growing and shrinking Alice. See how filmmakers used different techniques to stay true to the storyline.
Cakes of Wonderland – Take a trip to “Cake Divas” where the creators of the EAT ME cakes provide viewers with details about how they made the smallest crumb to the largest cake in scale.
Tea Party Props – Tea cups, saucers, cakes and more. Prop master Doug Harlocker gives an overview of all the props used to bring the famous tea party scene together visually.
DVD
Copy
Digital
Copy
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