Alice Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video transfer of "Alice" presents a highly uneven visual experience. Utilizing an AVC encoded 1080p resolution at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the film oscillates between exceptional sharpness and disorienting inconsistencies. Certain scenes showcase CGI with impressive nuance and precision, brimming with sharp details and vivid colors. Yet, these moments are frequently interrupted by sections almost devoid of color, rendering flesh tones and other hues significantly desaturated and lifeless. The contrast, while acceptable, often falls short of delivering the desired gradations between light and dark, ultimately diminishing the visual impact.

Adding to these discrepancies is an inexplicable and recurrent flickering issue, particularly noticeable in scenes such as when Alice and Hatter approach the library. Here, background light values surge and ebb erratically, creating a jarring and potentially seizure-inducing effect akin to old silent films. This flicker is not isolated but persists throughout the film, significantly detracting from the viewing experience. Such irregularities contrast sharply with the rare moments when the film's presentation achieves visual brilliance, making for a deeply frustrating and inconsistent video performance overall.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio presentation of "Alice" on Blu-ray offers a well-balanced and consistent sound experience. While the mix is somewhat light on surround effects overall, it shines during the more fantastical sequences, like the intense pursuit through the forest by the Jabberwock, where thundering low-frequency effects (LFE) and dynamic surround activity fully immerse the listener. These moments of heightened audio activity effectively enhance the visual excitement and transport viewers into the story's whimsical universe. Dialogue consistently maintains clarity and directionality, ensuring comprehension throughout varied ambient settings. Foley effects are well-placed, contributing to the immersive quality without overshadowing other elements.

In quieter scenes or where ambient noise plays a significant role, such as the casino sequences, the surround ambience is carefully crafted, though not overwhelmingly present in the rear channels. Panning effects are executed with precision to create a realistic and engaging soundfield. One standout scene involves Alice and the Mad Hatter in a bus-like elevator, where squeaks, crunches, and squeals encapsulate the viewer in an encompassing sound bubble, showcasing meticulous attention to detail in sound design.

This audio presentation may not offer the earth-shaking dynamism found in blockbuster films, but for a television miniseries, it delivers effective and sometimes surprising sonics. The soundtrack's fidelity and clarity remain excellent throughout, making it a solid addition to any home audio setup, capable of putting systems through their paces while delivering an enjoyable auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Alice" is notably sparse on supplemental features, which might disappoint fans looking for in-depth behind-the-scenes content. The primary extra is an Audio Commentary featuring writer/director Nick Willing and lead actress Caterina Scorsone. While the commentary provides substantial production insights and thorough details about the making of the film, it suffers from a lack of engaging presentation, mitigated by its informative nature. Additionally, rather than a dedicated special features section, the option to access bookmarks is included, which is hardly a substitute for more substantial content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: A detailed but unengaging track with writer/director Nick Willing and actress Caterina Scorsone.

"Alice" is a bold reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s classic, starring Caterina Scorsone as a 21st-century kickboxing instructor who stumbles into an updated, dystopian Wonderland. This new world is a stark contrast to the whimsical one Carroll envisioned, drawing more parallels to a seedy Las Vegas than a magical universe. The narrative twists include Wonderland’s inhabitants being emotionless, their feelings extracted and commodified by the tyrannical Queen of Hearts, played by Kathy Bates. While these creative liberties offer a refreshing take, purists may find it strays too far from the original. However, the series features robust performances from the cast, particularly Scorsone and Andrew Lee-Potts as Hatter. The visual production ranges from impressive to lackluster, with some matte paintings appearing glaringly artificial.

The film’s technical execution is hit-and-miss. Michael Joy’s production design achieves moments of visual splendor—high-tech casinos and demented hypnosis centers are notable highlights—yet some gimmicky special effects and overlong scenes detract from the overall experience. The intricate sets almost seem to compensate for the narrative's lack of depth and emotional resonance. Alice’s journey to rescue her kidnapped boyfriend and uncover family secrets feels superficial, compounded by a plot that stretches over an unwieldy runtime of 184 minutes. Breaking the viewing into two sittings is advisable to mitigate the drag induced by extended scenes.

As an intellectual exercise, "Alice" has intriguing moments but fails to capture the visceral allure that similar adaptations like "Tin Man" managed. The storyline incorporates too many mixed concepts, resulting in a muddled execution where the emotional stakes remain low. While competent in its television-scale ambition, “Alice” remains surface-level entertainment without tapping into the deeper, darker nuances of Carroll’s original work. The series stands as a reasonably interesting yet ultimately forgettable adaptation amidst the plethora of Wonderland interpretations.

Alice

The Blu-ray release of "Alice" offers a mixed bag of entertainment that approaches Lewis Carroll's classic tales from a unique angle. While the film contains enjoyable moments, its execution often falls short. The narrative tends to wander, with a lack of the charm and whimsy inherent in the original material, sometimes coming across as bloated and pretentious. This results in an experience that is too inconsistent for sustained engagement.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation can be hit or miss. The HD video quality fluctuates significantly, detracting from the viewing experience. At its best, the visuals are crisp and detailed, but too frequently, the picture quality deteriorates, which can be distracting and frustrating. Conversely, the audio quality tends to fare better. The soundtrack's dynamic range and clarity often shine, creating some immersive moments that stand out amid the otherwise uneven technical execution.

In conclusion, there's no denying that "Alice" provides some fun moments as it approaches Lewis Carroll's classic Alice stories from a completely different perspective. This is often a lot of fun to watch, but it's just as often bloated, pretentious and lacking in the charm and whimsy that so define the original source material. You could do worse as a rental, but the flaws of this Blu-ray probably outweigh the pluses for your library collectors.