Having watched a trailer for this, i'd have to say it looks way nicer than how this review puts it. But then again, i'm probably more bias towards Tim Burton.

I plan on seeing it - i just hope it gets picked up by the cheapies.

I'm not a big fan of Tim Burton, but Alice in Wonderland took in more than a billion dollars in 2010. It's the 10th highest-grossing movie, ever. And it won two Oscars. So even if YOU didn't like it as much as his earlier, indie movies, it's ridiculous to call him "a once-great auteur unable to relight his former spark." He's never been more successful.

@2: I'm not sure box office draw and the dubious distinction of an Academy Award are the marks of a "great auteur." Pretty sure that remark was directed at the evident and rapid decline in the aesthetic quality of his work.

I enjoyed the trailer but I think I'm just going to pretend that was the entire movie.

@Ovidius - If you think your opinion outweighs a billion dollars and two Oscars, you don't live in reality and need to seek help for your narcissism.

Yeah, obviously great art is defined by how much money something makes and how many major awards it's won. Cases in point: Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, ABBA, Elton John, Backstreet Boys... some of the greatest musical auteurs of all time. Who am I to question their obvious greatness with my own puny subjective views?

@Reymont: I don't know what my opinion has to do with anything. I was only trying to tell you what was meant by the line you were contesting. Aesthetic value and market value are two different things. The judgment of the Academy and aesthetic value are also two different things. I apologize for my narcissism and I will seek help.

@Ovidius - Haha. Let me know who you recommend, then....I should see somebody, too. :)