"Alice": A SyFy Mini-Series Review

When I tuned in to watch SyFy Channel's updated version of the Lewis Carroll classic "Alice in Wonderland," I was prepared to loathe it. I wasn't a big fan of the "Tin Man", SyFy's reinterpretation of "The Wizard of Oz." For me, it was too dark and foreboding; too twisted and demented. Plus, it veered too far away from the original story. I feared "Alice" might take the same road.

While "Alice" was certainly not a lighthearted tale, neither was it a total reinterpretation. All of the important characters were there - - Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Carpenter and Walrus, and the Cheshire Cat. The evil Queen of Hearts was present as was the White Knight and, of course, the white rabbit.

The plot line was similar too. Alice falls through the looking glass into Wonderland and spends her time desperately trying to find her way back home. But this Alice had something more.

Alice didn't just fall into Wonderland this time around. She did it while chasing after someone she cared about. Once there, she decides to stay to release yet another important person in her life who is trapped there as well.

Caterina Scorsone proved to be a good choice for Alice. She retained the character's curiosity and maintained a touch of innocence, but she was by no means helpless. With a black bet in Karate, she ends up defending herself quite well.

That doesn't mean; however, that she doesn't require assistance much in the same manner as the Alice of old. She does and the Mad Hatter, White Knight, Jack of Hearts and Caterpillar are there to provide it.

Andrew Lee Potts (Primeval) plays the mischievous and sometimes untrustworthy Hatter who befriends Alice and tries to help her out. Of course, he has his reasons, but he nonetheless, does his best to help the girl.

Eureka's Matt Frewer plays the White Knight. It proved to be the role where he could put all of his wonderful characterizations into. He did just that, no holds barred.

Kathy Bates was credible enough as the Queen of Hearts but I felt she held back a bit too much. She should have let loose and given the daffy character all the bravado and insanity it was meant to have.

I wasn't impressed with Phillip Winchester as the Jack of Hearts. He seemed untrustworthy from the outset, making me wonder why Alice would have trusted him at all.

Colm Meaney made for a fun King of Hearts. Even though the role was mostly supportive in nature, as usual, the actor made it work for him.

But the big question is: Did I like it? The answer is complicated because it is both "yes" and "no."

Let's deal with "no" first. I honestly don't think that Carroll's book needed reinterpreting any more than that of "The Wizard of Oz." Some classics stand on their own and "Alice in Wonderland" is one of them.

I also liked that Alice wasn't portrayed as another helpless female. It's about time for strength to be introduced into "fairytale-like" characters.

However, I did like the special effects of "Alice." I just wonder why they couldn't be used to retell the original story as written.

I also thought the actors chosen for the series were, for the most part, strong. They fit the characters well and breathed life into many that remained one-dimensional previously.

The costumes were pretty good for this updated version. The sets were both breathtaking and beautiful. Thank heavens the sound was also steady. I'm sick and tired of the loud music that makes you turn the TV down, followed by barely audible dialogue that makes you turn it back up.

I did not; however, care for the darkness of "Alice." While it was not quite as bleak and foreboding as "Tin Man," it didn't have a speck of lighthearted attitude either. It lost some of the charm and "fun" of the book.

I wasn't fond of the "drug" implications either. While I certainly see how the potions so much a part of the original story could be interpreted that way, I just didn't like the heavy focus on such a negative issue.

Overall, my feelings are mixed. I enjoyed watching it the first time around but doubt that I would go back for a second, third, or fourth airing. It just didn't warrant that kind of a loyalty.

I give "Alice" the mixed rating it deserves - - two and one half stars.

RATING SCALE USED:
0 = A stinker. Don't waste the money!
1 = Bad. Rent it at your own risk.
2 = Below average. See only if you have time to kill.
2.5 = Average. A toss up.
3 = Good. Worth a looksee.
3.5 = Very Good. I recommend it.
4 = Excellent. Don't miss it!
4.5 = Outstanding. What are you waiting for?
5 = Destined to become a classic. You will be sorry if you don't see it.