Don't believe all the dissatisfied customers!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and liked the 3-D!! First off I have never read the books but I have seen the Disney animated film. This movie does include references and characters from both the film and the book (the wife has read it). This is basically the sequel to the animated film, its more akin to Big Fish than Sleepy Hallow and is not near as good as the two but it is a good film. The acting was done well and the special effects were superb. Depp does a great job as does Mia Wasikowska but Helena Bonham Carter steals the show. The 3-d was not lack luster but was not overtly prevalent through out the film. Overall this film is a go see if you have kids or really enjoyed the animated film. If you don't have much of an imagination, do not enjoy Burton's non dark work, and are just an overall bore(that means you can't figure out this is a kids film) than go watch something else.