Johnny Depp: 5 Awesome Performances & 5 That Sucked

3. The Mad Hatter - Alice In Wonderland (2010)

Alice In Wonderland Johnny Depp Mad Hatter
Disney

The 7th collaboration between Depp and Burton, Alice in Wonderland is the one where it becomes clear they really ought to take a break from each other (and yet, perversely, it's their most commercially successful).

As a big fan of both of them, as well as the source material, I remember being rather excited when this one was announced: Burton! Depp! Wonderland! Instead, we got Underland, a CGI version of the fabled world that has had all joy sucked out of it.

The heart of the book is essentially ripped out, and what's left is a meandering and strangely straightforward film (with a Chosen One ploy and generic end battle). Depp, playing one of the most memorable characters from Lewis Carroll's work, tries to find depth and substance in the Hatter, but only ends up as a muddled mess with a dodgy accent and bright orange wig.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.