"Alice in Wonderland": what is the deal with "empowerment"?

and "Drinking Blood: the New Wonders of Alice's World" (NYT)

I haven't seen this movie, because I'm not into self-indulgent late Tim Burton. I mean, does Johnny Depp have to be so "weird" in every damn movie? Does everyone have to look so pasty, and does the tea party really have to look like Miss Havisham's house? Anyway, has anyone seen this? From the looks of the trailer and the NYT article, it seems like Alice has become something of a "empowered" heroine. She runs away from a stifling engagement, falls into "Underland" (I mean, please), and leads an army against the Red Queen and the Jabberwocky? Then she goes with her father on a merchant ship to Hong Kong (or China, whatever) for a life of adventure rather than staying put as a prim and proper lady in England? Is that how it went? I'm interested to know whether anyone who saw the movie found Alice to be a feminist heroine, or if she is more of a personally liberated young woman who decides to live outside of period conventions. Any ideas?

The article got me to thinking about "empowerment" and "girl power" in pop culture, though. We have a lot of things that are considered girl power-y, like shows on Nick and Disney with female protagonists who have their own online youtube channels and pop careers and stuff. Then there's stuff like ads for Yaz that imply female resistance (against PMDD). And then there's stuff like Alice in Wonderland, the screenwriter of which said the following (in the linked article):

“I do feel it’s really important to depict strong-willed, empowered women,” she added, “because women and girls need role models, which is what art and characters are. Girls who are empowered have an opportunity to make their own choices, difficult choices, and set out on their own road.”

While I think it's great that this slightly older Alice (there's also this annoying "I'm not a girl, but not yet a woman" thing going on in a lot of pop culture) is not a damsel in distress and is fighting and being strong-willed, I don't know that this Alice qualifies as feminist. When she makes tough choices and sets out on her own road, does she carry the experiences of others like her, or those in positions of less privilege and power, with her? Are these choices still circumscribed (e.g., Alice can make a choice to have adventure, but not to be prime minister)? What is she doing for other young women like her? Is "empowerment" just an easy way to sweep structural inequality under the rug? I'm starting to think, yes. But seriously, someone who has actually seen this movie, please let me know how it was.