ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Yes, if you are watching with older children or adults who can handle frightening fantasy violence and discuss the film’s ideas. Tim Burton’s re-imagining is visually rich, well acted, and filled with Christian references involving sacrifice, faith, Scripture, transformation, and the defeat of evil.

But the film also mixes those references with pagan elements and a strong feminist and political perspective. The story encourages Alice to reject tradition and become independent in ways the source review finds spiritually and historically complicated. Some references may confuse younger viewers, and scenes involving a gouged-out eye and decapitation can be very scary.

You will find plenty to discuss, though the resolution after the climax is anticlimactic. See it with older children and up, using your family’s discernment about the violence and worldview.

Nineteen-year-old Alice returns to Wonderland after fleeing an unpleasant suitor’s proposal. The kingdom is darker and more decayed than she remembers, and the Red Queen rules as a tyrant.

Alice encounters the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, March Hare, Caterpillar, and other figures from her earlier adventure. They believe she may be the Alice named in a sacred scroll and need her help against a dangerous creature. When the Red Queen sends her henchman to capture them, Alice must decide whether to rescue her friends.

Four stars means this is a highly entertaining and very well-made fantasy, even with a disappointing ending. The special effects, acting, and production quality are very good. Tim Burton proves himself a master of imagery and direction.

Johnny Depp is terrific as the Mad Hatter and nearly overshadows Mia Wasikowska’s Alice. Alice can seem slightly unapproachable and less winsome beside the more fascinating Hatter. The film holds your attention until the very end, but its resolution is anticlimactic.

This re-imagining uses Wonderland to explore choice, destiny, independence, tyranny, liberty, sacrifice, and transformation. The sacred Oraculum scroll suggests predestination even as the movie emphasizes choice. The Mad Hatter functions as a Holy Fool willing to sacrifice himself for friends and enemies, while the vorpal sword can be read as the Sword of the Spirit. Alice’s shield also evokes the Shield of Faith, and the butterfly imagery recalls being born again.

The film’s Christian references are strong, but they are mixed with false religious, political, and ideological elements. The caterpillar’s transformation seems to begin with Christian symbolism but also includes a statement about death that changes its meaning. The story presents Alice as empowered to rebel against her mother, reject her suitor, go against tradition, and become a merchant in China. Its feminist resolution is also difficult to reconcile with the Victorian Age.

The film’s central images can invite biblical reflection, especially its use of the sword against the serpent-like Jabberwocky. Scripture says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), giving deeper meaning to the film’s suggestion that the Word defeats evil.

Tim Burton’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND is a visually impressive, deeply discussable fantasy with strong Christian references and troubling spiritual and ideological mixtures. Its violence calls for family discernment, especially with younger children. For older children and up, it is WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER CHILDREN AND UP.