Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Disney goes out on a limb with this one, but it works for me. Tim Burton dances with the devil again and comes up smelling roses - again. Dark tellings of classic stories ring truer with me than the the more gentle versions. Reading the original tales one finds some very dark themes and scenes. So, I like to see these fresh spins on old stories.

Relative newcomer Mia Wasikowska does a wonderful job of playing big and small Alice. Helena Bonham Carter (6th Burton film), next door neighbor and mother of Burton's children, plays the CG-altered Red Queen of Hearts - brilliant! Johnny Depp (7th Burton film) plays the totally Mad Hatter, and although his accent changes from scene to scene, it fits well with his character. At one point when someone threatens to "off his head" his replies, "too late". Very funny.

This movie is okay for the younger viewers as well. Some of the scenes may be a little scary for the less-than-PG crowd, but otherwise there is plenty of humor on all levels to keep everyone amused.

Watch this movie with someone who will get all the subtle nods to chess and card games.