Down the rabbit hole we go.
Dec. 16th, 2009 05:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rogueslayer452In case most haven't caught on, Alice is my brand new shiny fandom that kinda took me by surprise. Although it was just a two-night miniseries that aired on SciFi, I was hooked from night one and immediately fell in love with it. As has many others due to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
new_wonderland being created, and the fandom has been growing ever since, which I'm glad to see because it really is very good. I've been meaning to write my thoughts on its entirety since I only gave a brief mentioning, with definite squeeing. Also, some thinky-thoughts because, come on, it's me.
It goes without saying that Alice is absolutely amazing and brilliant. As I mentioned I was hooked from the moment it premiered on its first night, and it just continued to be amazing from beginning to end. I am enthralled by many different takes and versions of the Alice in Wonderland story, and, much like Tin Man's retelling of the classic Wizard of Oz, this modern re-imagining of Wonderland did not disappoint. From the writing and direction to the amazing cast and acting, it was nonstop fun and, although there were some plot holes here and there, I really enjoyed it.
I know some people will probably think that it's ruining the actual story of Wonderland, that they're bastardizing it and whatnot. I disagree, since this is just one of the many adaptations of the story. They just added something new to the recipe, being a modernized take and continuation of the story itself, which timeline-wise can fit perfectly into canon, in certain ways. One of the things I can appreciate of these different recreations of original works is that, when done correctly, they can make for beautiful storytelling in a unique manner, and that is precisely what Alice did. They created an entire universe around the already existing universe of Wonderland and it was quite well-done, and very gorgeous in the setting if I do say so.
I mean, aesthetically the entire series is absolutely beautiful. From the set designs to the costuming (and the thematic wardrobe eras, which were brilliantly designed and fit perfectly in the world of Wonderland) to the color schemes and cinematography and just, um, yeah. Everything. So pretty, very very pretty.
The newly futuristic yet almost demolished-looking Wonderland will come to a shock for most, thinking it'll be all fantasy-looking like in the books. It's still fantasy-looking, but has a darker tone to it, darker than how twisted the books Lewis Carroll created. Just the original and unique ideas of what they've done, with the Queen's casino, the draining of "Oysters" to get emotions which are sold off to Wonderland residents like drugs, it really takes a modernized feel from a fantasy-like concept which makes the land kinda realistic in that sense. Alice isn't the only thing that has grown up. Heh.
The characters were one thing I enjoyed the most, of course. Alice, our main heroine, isn't this damsel in distress kind of character. On the contrary, she kicks royal ass in this miniseries, clad in only red tights, a blue dress and some boots, she has a black belt in karate, a fresh attitude and can take care of herself. She also handles situations by using her brain (ex. she doesn't drink that bottle in the beginning which, in every Wonderland adaptation she always ends up drinking the bottle with the phrases "DRINK ME" -- not this Alice, no sir; she knows that you don't drink RANDOM BOTTLES THAT SAY THINGS LIKE THAT) Alice isn't without some faults though, she has her moments of weakness, such as pining to want to release Jack and to trust him so easily. Although we know this is one of her flaws because of her previous guy issues she's mentioned, this happens to be one of those patterns. But she grows in the end, she learns from those mistakes and moves on from certain things that have been holding her back, like the search for her father, not accepting Jack's proposal even though he was the reason she entered Wonderland in the first place, etc.
Caterina Scorsone does a great job in this role, and I swear I've seen her in something else before, she looked very familiar when the preview first was first shown. Hmmm. But seriously y'all, great casting, and did you see her muscles? Dayum girl, you've got guns like, whoa.
And there is, of course, the character known as Hatter.
HATTER OMG WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT THE LOVELY HATTER? I LOVE HIM SO FUCKING MUCH YOU GUYS, YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW OKAY. He is such a fantastically fleshed out character, and I read that that's precisely what they planned on doing with this miniseries; humanizing familiar characters from the original Wonderland story in a different way, and I think they succeeded with Hatter quite well. Andrew Lee Potts couldn't have been more perfect for the role even if he tried. HE IS HATTER TO ME, NO ONE ELSE ALRIGHT?! Seriously though, everything involving Hatter made me so happy. I loved that he was honest towards Alice and stuck by her from the beginning, his loyalty shined more throughout especially during Part Two. I just, yeah.
I am also partial to his mighty fine wardrobe, his hat and his amazingly flippy hair surrounding the rim of said hat. Also, I don't normally find guys in guyliner attractive but, Hatter's an exception. ;) And this leads me to the obvious....
ALICE/HATTER!!!! *draws hearts all around them*
I have never fallen in love so hard and so fast with a pairing much like Alice/Hatter, I think the only one that comes close is Dean/Castiel. THEY ARE JUST TOO ADORABLE AND MADE OF SQUEE AND SMILES AND HAPPINESS! I LOVED THEIR DYNAMIC IN PART ONE AND I NEVER THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD ACTUALLY END UP TOGETHER BUT THEN PART TWO HAPPENED AND I WAS LIKE, OMG THEY WOULDN'T BE HINTING AT THEM HOOKING UP IF THEY WEREN'T GOING TO ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, HOOK UP RIGHT?! (which apparently is what got people miffed about Tin Man, that it lacked that satisfying romance that Alice did). BUT THEN THEY DID!!!! THEY FINALLY DID!!!! OMG I JUST ABOUT DIED WITH HAPPINESS RIGHT THEN AND THERE WITH THAT KISS. HATTER WENT AFTER HER! HE WENT AFTER ALICE, THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS! FOR HER! FOR HER! :D :D :D :D :D
Sorry about all the capslocking, but this pairing is simply too cute that it's impossible to NOT love them. Just, Alice/Hatter = OTP forever and ever. ♥
As for the rest, this was a great ensemble cast altogether, with a few surprise actors popping out here and there. Matt Frewer being absolutely hilarious as Charlie, Harry Dean Stanton as Caterpillar, Alessandro Juliani (FELIX GAETA!) and OH HAI TIM CURRY! BYE TIM CURRY! since seriously, he was only in the entire miniseries for what, one scene? Kathy Bates as the Queen of Hearts is debatable to me. I think having all these different people placed in Wonderland was lovely to have, and they made for great chemistry in one way or another.
NOW FOR META AND THINKY-THOUGHTS TIME! YOU ALL KNEW IT WAS COMING, DON'T LIE.
The theme of familial ties was interesting to see, from Alice and her father to Jack and his parents, the King and Queen. I liked that we got to have backstories for certain characters like how Alice's father disappeared and was taken to Wonderland, how Jack was rebelling against his mother's demands and actually becoming part of the resistance to overthrow her from position as Queen and her rules, etc. Alice's reunion and heartbreak with her father was so heartfelt, that I was so sad that he had to die because seriously, he just saw his little Alice again after being taken from her. It's not fair. D: But I also really liked Charlie's background story too, because his was definitely sad and kinda redeeming in that heroic way, if you will. I really loved how everything was tied together in some way; Jack knew that Alice's father held the key to stopping what the Queen was producing (kidnapping humans from our world and draining their emotions and selling them to Wonderland's citizens, much like one would do here for drugs) so he escaped Wonderland to find Alice and hopefully his plan would form a coup against the Queen in some way. Which leads Alice on this incredible journey of seeing and understanding things about her life, and of herself. She sees that she can forgive her father and move on.
One thing I didn't like though was the final overthrow of the Queen towards the end. It seemed rather anticlimactic, in a way. But it really wasn't about that though, the miniseries had more things happening that it really wasn't about just overthrowing the Queen from her position. It was about the characters and how they've all grown in their own ways; Jack and the Duchess (who I still think should have gotten more screen time because I LOVE THE DUCHESS, SHE WAS AWESOME AND NEEDED MORE BACKSTORY!), Alice, Hatter, Charlie, etc. Even the King who had done all that the Queen wanted only to appease her, but said "no" this time and stayed inside the building while it collapsed.
Also, the ring. How powerful was this ring anyway, and was it merely just the key to the Looking Glass between worlds, and if so, how were they capturing humans? This was mentioned I think but I just can't remember. It's an old heirloom and meant for something more, obviously, something that establishes Wonderland and holds it together, but we only see it being used as a portal-key and nothing more.
And with Charlie's plan of action, or lack thereof, with his Dead Army of White Knights? How come nobody knew that they were just skeletons on sticks, even after going outside and seeing that none of them were moving? I can't accept that they would be THAT dense, right?
But overall, I absolutely really enjoyed SciFi Channel's Alice miniseries. It was probably the best miniseries I've seen yet, and although I wished it could have been a tad bit longer (if only to squeeze in some missing scenes to fill in blanks and more Alice/Hatter scenes for sure), I'm glad that it was only four hours and not extending it with other things that could have been left out. It went well with the timeframe that it was supposed to, and just yeah, everything about this series made me love it. Beginning to end, loved it.
ALICE/HATTER OTP OTP OTP OTP! ♥ ♥ ♥ THAT KISS BBS, DID YOU SEE THAT KISS! I will forever love that kiss, perfect ending (and still loling at Alice's mother's reaction in the background like, "wtf she was dating that Jack guy yesterday and now today she's smooching on this random guy?" lol XD)
I want my own Hatter in my life, kthx. My own Hatter and my own Misha, and my life would be complete. ♥
Alice will also be available on DVD and Blu-Ray very soon, too. Guess what I'll be getting?
new_wonderland being created, and the fandom has been growing ever since, which I'm glad to see because it really is very good. I've been meaning to write my thoughts on its entirety since I only gave a brief mentioning, with definite squeeing. Also, some thinky-thoughts because, come on, it's me.It goes without saying that Alice is absolutely amazing and brilliant. As I mentioned I was hooked from the moment it premiered on its first night, and it just continued to be amazing from beginning to end. I am enthralled by many different takes and versions of the Alice in Wonderland story, and, much like Tin Man's retelling of the classic Wizard of Oz, this modern re-imagining of Wonderland did not disappoint. From the writing and direction to the amazing cast and acting, it was nonstop fun and, although there were some plot holes here and there, I really enjoyed it.
I know some people will probably think that it's ruining the actual story of Wonderland, that they're bastardizing it and whatnot. I disagree, since this is just one of the many adaptations of the story. They just added something new to the recipe, being a modernized take and continuation of the story itself, which timeline-wise can fit perfectly into canon, in certain ways. One of the things I can appreciate of these different recreations of original works is that, when done correctly, they can make for beautiful storytelling in a unique manner, and that is precisely what Alice did. They created an entire universe around the already existing universe of Wonderland and it was quite well-done, and very gorgeous in the setting if I do say so.
I mean, aesthetically the entire series is absolutely beautiful. From the set designs to the costuming (and the thematic wardrobe eras, which were brilliantly designed and fit perfectly in the world of Wonderland) to the color schemes and cinematography and just, um, yeah. Everything. So pretty, very very pretty.
The newly futuristic yet almost demolished-looking Wonderland will come to a shock for most, thinking it'll be all fantasy-looking like in the books. It's still fantasy-looking, but has a darker tone to it, darker than how twisted the books Lewis Carroll created. Just the original and unique ideas of what they've done, with the Queen's casino, the draining of "Oysters" to get emotions which are sold off to Wonderland residents like drugs, it really takes a modernized feel from a fantasy-like concept which makes the land kinda realistic in that sense. Alice isn't the only thing that has grown up. Heh.
The characters were one thing I enjoyed the most, of course. Alice, our main heroine, isn't this damsel in distress kind of character. On the contrary, she kicks royal ass in this miniseries, clad in only red tights, a blue dress and some boots, she has a black belt in karate, a fresh attitude and can take care of herself. She also handles situations by using her brain (ex. she doesn't drink that bottle in the beginning which, in every Wonderland adaptation she always ends up drinking the bottle with the phrases "DRINK ME" -- not this Alice, no sir; she knows that you don't drink RANDOM BOTTLES THAT SAY THINGS LIKE THAT) Alice isn't without some faults though, she has her moments of weakness, such as pining to want to release Jack and to trust him so easily. Although we know this is one of her flaws because of her previous guy issues she's mentioned, this happens to be one of those patterns. But she grows in the end, she learns from those mistakes and moves on from certain things that have been holding her back, like the search for her father, not accepting Jack's proposal even though he was the reason she entered Wonderland in the first place, etc.
Caterina Scorsone does a great job in this role, and I swear I've seen her in something else before, she looked very familiar when the preview first was first shown. Hmmm. But seriously y'all, great casting, and did you see her muscles? Dayum girl, you've got guns like, whoa.
And there is, of course, the character known as Hatter.
HATTER OMG WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT THE LOVELY HATTER? I LOVE HIM SO FUCKING MUCH YOU GUYS, YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW OKAY. He is such a fantastically fleshed out character, and I read that that's precisely what they planned on doing with this miniseries; humanizing familiar characters from the original Wonderland story in a different way, and I think they succeeded with Hatter quite well. Andrew Lee Potts couldn't have been more perfect for the role even if he tried. HE IS HATTER TO ME, NO ONE ELSE ALRIGHT?! Seriously though, everything involving Hatter made me so happy. I loved that he was honest towards Alice and stuck by her from the beginning, his loyalty shined more throughout especially during Part Two. I just, yeah.
I am also partial to his mighty fine wardrobe, his hat and his amazingly flippy hair surrounding the rim of said hat. Also, I don't normally find guys in guyliner attractive but, Hatter's an exception. ;) And this leads me to the obvious....
ALICE/HATTER!!!! *draws hearts all around them*
I have never fallen in love so hard and so fast with a pairing much like Alice/Hatter, I think the only one that comes close is Dean/Castiel. THEY ARE JUST TOO ADORABLE AND MADE OF SQUEE AND SMILES AND HAPPINESS! I LOVED THEIR DYNAMIC IN PART ONE AND I NEVER THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD ACTUALLY END UP TOGETHER BUT THEN PART TWO HAPPENED AND I WAS LIKE, OMG THEY WOULDN'T BE HINTING AT THEM HOOKING UP IF THEY WEREN'T GOING TO ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, HOOK UP RIGHT?! (which apparently is what got people miffed about Tin Man, that it lacked that satisfying romance that Alice did). BUT THEN THEY DID!!!! THEY FINALLY DID!!!! OMG I JUST ABOUT DIED WITH HAPPINESS RIGHT THEN AND THERE WITH THAT KISS. HATTER WENT AFTER HER! HE WENT AFTER ALICE, THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS! FOR HER! FOR HER! :D :D :D :D :D
Sorry about all the capslocking, but this pairing is simply too cute that it's impossible to NOT love them. Just, Alice/Hatter = OTP forever and ever. ♥
As for the rest, this was a great ensemble cast altogether, with a few surprise actors popping out here and there. Matt Frewer being absolutely hilarious as Charlie, Harry Dean Stanton as Caterpillar, Alessandro Juliani (FELIX GAETA!) and OH HAI TIM CURRY! BYE TIM CURRY! since seriously, he was only in the entire miniseries for what, one scene? Kathy Bates as the Queen of Hearts is debatable to me. I think having all these different people placed in Wonderland was lovely to have, and they made for great chemistry in one way or another.
NOW FOR META AND THINKY-THOUGHTS TIME! YOU ALL KNEW IT WAS COMING, DON'T LIE.
The theme of familial ties was interesting to see, from Alice and her father to Jack and his parents, the King and Queen. I liked that we got to have backstories for certain characters like how Alice's father disappeared and was taken to Wonderland, how Jack was rebelling against his mother's demands and actually becoming part of the resistance to overthrow her from position as Queen and her rules, etc. Alice's reunion and heartbreak with her father was so heartfelt, that I was so sad that he had to die because seriously, he just saw his little Alice again after being taken from her. It's not fair. D: But I also really liked Charlie's background story too, because his was definitely sad and kinda redeeming in that heroic way, if you will. I really loved how everything was tied together in some way; Jack knew that Alice's father held the key to stopping what the Queen was producing (kidnapping humans from our world and draining their emotions and selling them to Wonderland's citizens, much like one would do here for drugs) so he escaped Wonderland to find Alice and hopefully his plan would form a coup against the Queen in some way. Which leads Alice on this incredible journey of seeing and understanding things about her life, and of herself. She sees that she can forgive her father and move on.
One thing I didn't like though was the final overthrow of the Queen towards the end. It seemed rather anticlimactic, in a way. But it really wasn't about that though, the miniseries had more things happening that it really wasn't about just overthrowing the Queen from her position. It was about the characters and how they've all grown in their own ways; Jack and the Duchess (who I still think should have gotten more screen time because I LOVE THE DUCHESS, SHE WAS AWESOME AND NEEDED MORE BACKSTORY!), Alice, Hatter, Charlie, etc. Even the King who had done all that the Queen wanted only to appease her, but said "no" this time and stayed inside the building while it collapsed.
Also, the ring. How powerful was this ring anyway, and was it merely just the key to the Looking Glass between worlds, and if so, how were they capturing humans? This was mentioned I think but I just can't remember. It's an old heirloom and meant for something more, obviously, something that establishes Wonderland and holds it together, but we only see it being used as a portal-key and nothing more.
And with Charlie's plan of action, or lack thereof, with his Dead Army of White Knights? How come nobody knew that they were just skeletons on sticks, even after going outside and seeing that none of them were moving? I can't accept that they would be THAT dense, right?
But overall, I absolutely really enjoyed SciFi Channel's Alice miniseries. It was probably the best miniseries I've seen yet, and although I wished it could have been a tad bit longer (if only to squeeze in some missing scenes to fill in blanks and more Alice/Hatter scenes for sure), I'm glad that it was only four hours and not extending it with other things that could have been left out. It went well with the timeframe that it was supposed to, and just yeah, everything about this series made me love it. Beginning to end, loved it.
ALICE/HATTER OTP OTP OTP OTP! ♥ ♥ ♥ THAT KISS BBS, DID YOU SEE THAT KISS! I will forever love that kiss, perfect ending (and still loling at Alice's mother's reaction in the background like, "wtf she was dating that Jack guy yesterday and now today she's smooching on this random guy?" lol XD)
I want my own Hatter in my life, kthx. My own Hatter and my own Misha, and my life would be complete. ♥
Alice will also be available on DVD and Blu-Ray very soon, too. Guess what I'll be getting?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 01:21 am (UTC)WELCOME TO MY SHINY NEW FANDOM!!!!!! *twirls you madly*
no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 03:00 am (UTC)WHEEEEE! :D :D :D :D
no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 01:26 am (UTC)I truly adored Alice and while I'm usually partial to things purely for shallow and/or romantic reasons, I honestly loved it for the story itself and the retelling of such a classic. And now I've decided I must finally read the originals, because I've only ever seen the Disney movie/various things (well, everything) that reference it.
And now to the fangirling...
I have never fallen in love so hard and so fast with a pairing much like Alice/Hatter
It's so strange, isn't it? I have been talking & flailing with others & no other pairing that I have ever witnessed has brought people so hard, so fast & so wholly to its cause. AND IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL. And the thing is, in my shipping, I occasionally MarySue my way into the female's role, so I'm essentially having a fling with whoever suits my fancy; I've heard this is a common thing & not just me, lol. But with this, much as I would love love love LOVE to have my own Hatter, I cannot see them as more than Alice & Hatter. They are perfect, just them. So lovely & so...perfect. I LOVE THEM SFM. I JUST WANT TO DRAW BIG PINK SPARKLY HEARTS AROUND THEM. ♥ ♥ ♥
Also; did you ever watch Stargate: SG-1? Because Alice's mom = Dr. Janet Frasier, haha.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 02:59 am (UTC)I just, I cannot express my love enough for this pairing. The fact that fandom grew so much because of how amazing it was for these two crazy kids to finally, finally get together in the end (lol listen to me acting like it's been forever for them to hook up), it's insane. But it had to happen because, um, adorableness? They complete each other, there's trust and bonding and the undeniable chemistry between them and just, yeah. I'm gushing, aren't I? Rightfully so, because Alice/Hatter DESERVE TO BE GUSHED OVER, TRUFAX!
I didn't watch SG1, but I figured there would be some other Scifi peeps in the miniseries. Hee.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 03:48 am (UTC)I feel exactly the same way. It's quite ridic, actually, how passionately I adore them. I tip my hat (my Hatter-type hat that I want so bad) to the SyFy Channel, who is not known for quality effects or storytelling in their stuff, for making me feel so strongly for them. THEY DO DESERVE TO BE GUSHED OVER, YES. THEY ARE JUST AMAZING & WONDEROUS & SO SWEET & FANTASTIC & A LOAD OF OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED CLICHE & OVERUSED BUT WHEN USED WITH ALICE/HATTER BECOME THE ONLY, PERFECT WAYS OF DESCRIBING THEM.
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Date: 2009-12-17 08:11 am (UTC)random comment jumper...
Their minis tend to be VERY well done.
It's their weekly movies that are horrible.
As a long time lover of SciFi/Syfy original minis (OMFG DUNE AND CHILDREN OF DUNE LIKE WHOAAAAAAAAAA plus TIN MAN!) I felt I had to say that.
*wanders off again*
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Date: 2009-12-17 01:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 03:06 am (UTC)I am so glad I watched Alice, ngl. Alice and Hatter are just so sweet and awwwww-inducing. And I love your review, sfm. SHINY NEW SHIP IS SHINY.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 03:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 08:09 am (UTC)To be honest, Hatter and Alice/Hatter made that mini for me. The plot was... not bad but not the most spectacular thing ever and Alice didn't really do overly much for me, but HATTER OMFG... well fleshed out character wtih little quirks, great development and a wonderful new ship to love!
PLUS I LOVE ANDREW LEE POTTS SO!
no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 04:05 pm (UTC)Sometimes miniseries plots can be kinda hocky, but I really enjoyed Alice because I think it was a combination of many different aspects which made it kinda awesome. I loved Alice, but I also loved Hatter and Alice and Hatter together = major epicness. If it hadn't been for them (and the hilarity of Charlie) I probably wouldn't have been interested in seeing it. Not that they wouldn't do a reimagining without Alice's character, but Caterina really did an amazing job so, hee.
Andrew Lee Potts completely made that role his own, didn't he? SO MUCH AWESOMENESS OF HATTER! :D
no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 03:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-17 03:59 pm (UTC)If you're familiar with the Wonderland story in general, I think you're good. Although the miniseries takes on a completely different tone and mythology on its own, so you'll have no trouble following along. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-12-21 01:01 am (UTC)This miniseries was just fantabulous, so great and exciting and the major payoff for the cuteness of Alice/Hatter, which EXPLODED during the miniseries in the fandom which also was quickly created from it. HOW MUCH DO I LOVE FANDOM SOMETIMES? ;D Surely the kiss at the end wasn't enough, there should have been more (MORE MAKING OUT PLZ!), but it leaves me feeling all warm and fuzzy every time I watch it. ♥
I kinda want like, a follow-up mini now. Like, Alice and Hatter's Adventures or something like that. With Charlie. That would be sweet. :D
I've only watched some episodes of Torchwood, but I heard about what happened in "Children of Earth". I can definitely say that Alice kinda handles it a bit better.
I totally did a double-take when I saw him. I was like OMG GAETA! Then the Queen was all "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!" and I was D: D: D: But I think they actually didn't off his head, because I saw him in a later scene. Such a lolarious cameo, lol.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-21 01:58 pm (UTC)THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS HERE BB, ENDLESS! I COULD WATCH THEM BEING ADORABLE ALL DAY! ♥
Hee, awww! You're sweet. Um, not that I can think of right now. I'll let you know when something does come up, though! :D