Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Adapting Alice in Wonderland



Oz books have a quest structure that lends itself to adaptation. Wonderland books do not. Walt Disney managed to give Alice a small arc and some introspective ballads but the film was criticized for a "lack of heart." Recent musical adaptations have taken great liberties to give Alice a goal and an antagonist.

1985's Alice is pursued by a terrifying Godzilla-like Jabberwocky... and meets an equally terrifying Carol Channing.

2011's Wonderland ages Alice up to explore adult neuroses. Why is her inner child represented as a  dominatrix? Well she's got some issues.

2015's wonder.land sets the whole thing in cyberspace as a group of teens use their online avatars to cope with their anxiety's. Some critics found it brilliant while others found it incomprehensible. 

TV, films and video games have since turned Wonderland's characters into figures of fun, action and horror. Who's your favorite Alice?

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