Malice in Wonderland

I can't begin to describe this utter piece of crap (can I say crap in a review?). Yep it's Alice in Wonderland with drugs and pimps and ugly broads. Put in a few hard-core street accents and you have this train wreck.

It was moronic at best, unwatchable at the worst.

I found this movie on Netflix and was initially unsure about it. The title seemed stupid and the rating wasn't all that high. Even once I started watching it, I was just mostly confused. I was interested, yes, but so so confused. For this reason, I will say that this movie isn't for everyone. It's definitely weird, and not just in a slightly quirky kind of way. My advice is, if you start watching this movie and feel put off, start over.

That's what I did, and my experience was increased tenfold. I put my laptop away (I'm very guilty of browsing the internet while watching movies) and found a time when I could actually focus on the movie. The script and the acting was fantastic, with some over-the-top characters, brilliant little details and an overall dream-like feel. When it comes to "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" adaptions, my favorites tend to be the ones that can recreate that same playful crazy feeling that made Lewis Carroll's version so appealing to me as a child. This was definitely in that thread. I'm not sure how well this movie would go over with somebody who hasn't read, or didn't love, the original book. Personally, I had a little rush of joy seeing how wonderfully frantic the trial scene was, just as it was in the book. There were lots of connections like that throughout the film. That said, there were also some great original touches.

In general, I'd definitely advise you to watch it at least once. (While actually paying attention) Some people will love it to death, and others will probably think it's stupid. I think it's worth seeing which category you fall into.

I had never heard of this movie so I had no idea what to expect (other than some Alice in Wonderland reference), and I was pleasantly surprised. I only know Maggie Grace from her role as one of the worst characters on Lost, so I was also surprised that I could see her on film without hoping she'd get hit by a bus (I guess that means she's a good actress?) There are some truly zany characters in the movie, and you just have to roll with some of the situations, but all in all it kept me entertained from start to finish. I was kept involved enough in the story and travels of Alice that I really didn't see the ending revelation until it happened (most of the info was alluded to but never really exposed). I wouldn't call it a romance, or an action flick (although there are some violent scenes), it sort of defies description, but it's worth a watch.

It seems financially viable to release this now and an oversight not to, even if it is straight to DVD. With only a few short weeks until the release of Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland, anything bearing roughly the same name or subject matter is likely to gain more interest that it would do under normal circumstances. Lewis Carroll's version of Wonderland (and Alice, come to that) is altogether different here, however. This Simon Fellows directed version of the well-loved tale takes one step firmly to the dark side of humanity, edging further away from fantasy than either Lewis Carroll or Burton's interpretation of Carroll's undoubted masterpiece.

Simon Fellows gathers an eclectic cast ensemble and seems to have read through the story of Alice and then cherry-picked scenes that suit his cinematic vision and then chopped them together. Really, this boils down to two or three set pieces that make some sort of cohesive sense, with the rest just filler in-between. For all that, however, there are genuinely, but rare enjoyable moments throughout.

I'm not known for being a Danny Dyer fan, and still remain as unimpressed by him on the whole as I was before, having only been able to admire one of his delivered lines throughout the entire film. Maggie Grace plays the part of Alice, a poor little rich girl that has lost her memory after being knocked over by Whitey's (Dyer) taxi.   Sounds a world away from the usual fantasy fare, right? Well this version of Alice In Wonderland is set in modern day inner city. The White Rabbit is a taxi driver who is off to buy a cake and is very late for the party, Tweedledum and Tweedledee are both club doormen and stealing tarts in this movie is driving off in an eighteen wheeler with a collection of hookers in the back. An unusual take on the literary work, and if I'm brutally honest, more than a little bit of a mess.

The entire movie feels cluttered, unkempt and sprawling. This never feels like a fantasy, more the intermittent recollections of a hallucinating girl on a one night class A bender. It never feels magical nor enchanting or indeed any element that the original work instilled in its reader.

It would be fair to suggest that this is not at all what Felllows had wanted to do with the film, but then you do have to ask, just what was it that he was trying to achieve? From what he has delivered here, it is not easy to tell, apart from a simple circular tale that could have been about anything, at anytime, anywhere. If so, then why base it on a well loved children's fable? (See paragraph one)

The acting is roundly awful by the main players. Dyer is famous for his usually overtly violent films that require him to shout a lot, point angry fingers and throw his fists about and Grace is as wooden as another well loved children's character. Some credibility comes in the form of Pam Ferris, Fiona O'Shaughnessy, Matt King and Nathaniel Parker in their own oddly created cameos, but none make enough of an appearance throughout to save this film from its rightful place in the bowels of DVD purgatory.

In summary, avoid this if you have the option. If you have to sit through it, I'd pay it the attention it deserves and make sure you have a book handy, or if you are of an hallucinogenic bent, you may find this riveting after you have dropped a tab. I would never suggest illegal drug-taking for recreation, but really, you will need more than just your brain, ears and patience to get to the end of it.

Though the film may lack a bit of depth, Malice in Wonderland is a visual treat that any fan of cinema or the Lewis Carroll stories can enjoy. Similar to Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Malice in Wonderland is a modern day take on the Alice and Wonderland story that begins with a young blonde girl running from henchmen who is suddenly hit by a cab driven by a snarky but charming man named "Whitey" (the white rabbit) causing her to lose her memory. In a rush, Whitey throws her in his cab and takes her through a long tunnel (the rabbit hole) into his world of gangsters, neon lights, and house music. The entire film revolves around this woman trying to figure out who she is, where she is, and where she needs to be. Along the way meeting a handful of interesting characters: the caterpillar, the mad hatter, the queen, etc. The characters are a bit subtle and usually not formally introduced so a quick peak at the trailer will give you a good idea of who is who if you need it. I found myself extremely entertained throughout the entire film. Visually, this movie is fun and beautiful. It's pretty well acted, especially for a low budget film. The pacing is fast and keeps you interested. Though the ending was a bit of a disappointment (I wont spoil anything) and the story overall lacked a bit of depth, compared to other Alice book to film adaptations this is definitely my favorite (and I've seen almost all of them except Tim Burton's). Definitely worth a watch! Go see it!