– By Cate Marquis –
‘Alice Through The Looking Glass’ is more entertaining than first one but little Lewis Carroll remains
There is not much of Lewis Carroll’s classic book in the film that shares its name, but the fantasy adventure film “Alice Through the Looking Glass” is fun, and more entertaining than the first film. It is also less rambling and disconnected than “Alice in Wonderland,” which also had only a tenuous connection to Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece. In “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” only the title, characters and a mirror as doorway into the fantasy land remains, as the story is completely different, instead building on the story and re-interpreted characters of the first film.
While it is still basically a cheat to use the title of a famous, beloved classic for a movie with a totally different story, that violation already occurred with Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Certainly, Disney has a history of re-writing classic children’s literature, so this new Disney film – which is certainly entertaining – fits in well with that tradition. But good parents should let kids know that neither film is about the real “Alice,” and hopefully read them classics books to them as well.
The Disney sequel brings back a grown-up Alice, who in the first film became a warrior-hero in a battle between the Red Queen and White Queen, with the Mad Hatter as a major ally. Mia Wasikowska returns as Alice, as do Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen. Johnny Depp also is back as the Mad Hatter but director Tim Burton is not. James Bobin (creator of TV’s “Flight of the Conchords”) takes over directing duties but much of the rest remains the same, with a screenplay by Linda Woolverton, a strong returning voice cast (including perhaps the last role for the late Alan Rickman) and an eye-popping, candy-colored fantasy world with heavily-animated actors transformed into strange-looking characters.
The wildly inventive look of this fantasy world certainly makes it seem like a Tim Burton film but the story is much more straight-forward than Burton’s original, with some decidedly modern touches. Alice (Wasikowska), who has remade herself into a sea captain in the Victorian “real world,” escapes a sexist baddie threatening her and her widowed mother, by stepping through a mirror into Wonderland. She is drawn back to that land guided by the Caterpillar, Absolem (Alan Rickman), who has now transformed into a blue butterfly.
Back in Wonderland, Alice must save her friend Mad Hatter by traveling back through time to find out what happened to his family. However, in this case, “Time” is a person (a surprisingly funny, less irritating Sacha Baron Cohen), who tries to block Alice from taking the risky step to go back in, uh, him. As before, the Red Queen (Bonham Carter) is her adversary as well as Time himself.
This sequel is actually better than the first one, a film to entertain both kids and fantasy fans. Alice takes the classic role of the active hero, while the ailing Mad Hatter has the “damsel in distress” part, in a clever little flip. All the cast are funny and appealing, even the often repulsive Sacha Baron Cohen. Wasikowska and Depp bring a sweet warmth to their friendship as Alice and Mad Hatter, which gives the film an extra boost. Bonham Carter’s Red Queen is not just screeching this time, but has a depth and a little backstory to explain her bulbous head and her angry nature. There are plenty of jokes around the personified Time, and other playful, silly humor along with an energetic adventure.
The 3D visual effects are marvelous, with both sweeping, fabulous landscapes and curious, quirky little details, creating a delightful world is as beautiful, strange and enchanting as before. The entertaining story is a great adventure, with a warm, positive kid-friendly message about helping friends and the importance of family.
All in all, “Alice Through the Looking Glass” is a delightful adventure romp, with fun for both kids and adults – even if as little of Lewis Carroll remains as the smile on the Cheshire Cat.
© Cate Marquis
