Follow the white rabbit and tumble down the rabbit hole until you are seated in a theater playing Tim Burton’s new feature “Alice in Wonderland.”

Since most of us can recall Disney’s much older animated version of “Alice in Wonderland,” there’s no need for character introduction or background information. In fact, when the Cheshire Cat first appears to Alice onscreen, he doesn’t even introduce himself, and the two speak as if they were acquaintances.

Such a history has allowed Tim Burton to sharply focus his attention toward a new storyline and visual effects for Alice. The story, already giving someone like Tim Burton plenty of leeway with his imagination, features familiar, beloved characters divided against one another in a struggle of power between the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) and the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter).

The visual effects are simply superb, shining brilliantly onscreen, and audiences can watch “Alice in Wonderland” in either 3D or 2D. The 3D version contains some of the most colorful and imaginative objects, with extra-sharp image quality that just doesn’t compare to the 2D version.

Tim Burton never fully capitalizes on the 3D technology, though. While it’s fun to watch, audiences who don’t wish to pay that extra amount aren’t missing out on too much, but if you are willing to pay that extra $3, you will see just where that little extra cash went.

Again, this isn’t the same “Alice in Wonderland” audiences have watched before. Alice isn’t a young girl anymore, as she is in the book and older film. In this film Alice is 19, about to be married — a change that, in the film’s logic, makes sense.

Tim Burton was never hired to make a remake, nor did audiences ask him to. You could also take it as Alice growing up with her audience. The 1953 animated Disney version was released to the home video market in the early 1980s, so those who grew up during this time have grown up with Alice.

One problem I do find in the film is its lack of nonsense. To me, what made the book and the older animated film so much fun to read/watch is that it contained a lot of nonsense, a lot of madmen and women that talked a bunch of hoopla. In this film, the Mad Hatter really isn’t that mad, nor are most of the characters. They’re a little bit crazy, but not insane.

The performances by Depp and company are a mixed bag. On the upside, Hathaway makes her performance as the White Queen memorable and timelessly witty. Bonham’s portrayal of the evil Red Queen is utterly hilarious, and no one could have filled those shoes better.

But Depp’s presentation of the Mad Hatter stands to be scrutinized a little. Depp doesn’t seem to be giving his all in “Alice in Wonderland.” He pushes through his performance at times and makes it his character a little bitter to swallow for audiences.

Depp’s definitely enjoyable, just not as much as I’d hoped he’d be.

Overall, however, “Alice in Wonderland” is a truly wonderful and imaginative film that dazzles the senses and brings out our dreams and wonders.

CW’s Critic’s Rating: 3 out of 4 Stars

Bottom Line: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ brings back nostalgia for the wonder and excitement of childhood. It is sure to revitalize your imagination tank, and it is a must see for Tim Burton fans.