Alice Through the Looking Glass, the follow-up to the popular 2010 live-action Disney film Alice in Wonderland, succeeds in delivering the same exhilarating amounts of visual wonder and otherworldly thrills as the first, while adding a fantastic new character and a fascinating time traveling dimension that allows us to learn more about the history of many of Wonderland’s most familiar characters.
This film is packed with stunning effects and inventive set design that are sure to dazzle and delight the audience – especially the younger ones. From the oceanic world of waves which Alice must traverse to travel back in time, to Time’s magnificent gothic industrial castle, to the beautifully transcendent sunsets and sunrises that rapidly and erratically paint the sky when Time’s health starts to deteriorate, Alice Through the Look Glass is a feast for the eyes.
The cast from the original returns and again provides a superior level of acting not normally seen in movies aimed at a younger audience. Johnny Depp portrays the Mad Hatter with a perfect mix of whimsy and vulnerability. Helena Bonham-Carter once again steals her scenes as the Red Queen. Mia Wasikowska again proves to be an excellent choice to play the title character. Her Alice is spunky and brave while still maintaining an innocent childlike sense of wonder.
Sacha Baron Cohen plays the character of Time and delivers a hugely entertaining performance – displaying impressive range with excellent comic timing and surprisingly poignant emotional depth.
The story carries some satisfying lessons that should resonate with a younger audience – about remaining true to oneself, about valuing and appreciating family, and about how you can’t change your past, but you can learn from it.
If you enjoyed the first Alice film, 2014’s Maleficent, or 2013’s Oz, Great and Powerful, you owe it to yourself to see this film on the big screen. You’ll definitely find this journey into Wonderland a worthwhile trip.
Author bio: Jason Latshaw is a writer who lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two kids, and a couple of gecko lizards.
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