After the wowness of “Avatar” leaving us jonesing for more 3-D , Tim Burton’s  “Alice in Wonderland”  is one delish treat.   As always, Burton puts his own stamp on this ageless story, mixing it up. For one, Alice isn’t a kid.  She’s a 19 year old. And the story itself  doesn’t go by the book – it’s just kinda based on  it. Think a little “Lords of the Ring” , throw in a little psychedelia and add a pinch of goth. Where else are you gonna find a caterpillar (voiced by Alan Rickman)  smoking could well be an illegal substance??

Besides the stunning visuals,  Tim Burton did a perfect job casting the roles.  Alice, played by Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska.  is a basic unknown – except  to fans of the HBO  show “In Treatment” She was the suicidal teen. Here’s she’s reminiscent of Claire Danes and Kate Hudson.   Johnny Depp as the mad hatter???  Exquisite!!  Depp can show up  for just two minutes in a film and steal  it.  Burton’s wife, Helena Bonham Carter  as the Red Queen is riveting and hilariously  evil  while a white-haired Anne Hathaway  as the White Queen looks like Snow White- she’s that pale. Crispin Glover is the goth touch as the Knave of Hearts.

The story itself is overshadowed by the visuals but all in all, this is a joy and wonder to cure your mid-winter blues . It’s  more for adults than the kids- definitely not for the littlest ones.  They won’t get it and may be scared. 

3-and –a-half stars