Turn Back the Hands of Time (Disney's Alice Through the Looking Glass, 2016)

Alice returns to the magical world of Underland, only to find the Hatter in a horrible state. With the help of her friends, Alice must travel through time to save the Mad Hatter and Underland's fate from the evil clutches of the Red Queen and a clock like creature, known as Time. - IMDb

Story

   The only similarity between this film and the book of the same title is going through the looking glass. It really isn't similar in any way, shape, or form. It's important to remember that the original animated film and the first Burton film were actually a combination of the books Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. You couldn't exactly make the sequel film like the sequel book in this case. This film was made to give backstory to the first one. Why is the Mad Hatter the only Hatter left? Why is the Red Queen's head swollen? Where did the sibling rilvarly between Iracebeth and Mirana come from? It did this very well, and I was very happy with the result.

Visuals

     The film was as visually stunning as the last, maybe even more. It seemed a bit brighter and happier than the last one. This could be because it was mostly set in the past or in the White Queen's palace. I really loved Time's palace as well, which had a darker Steampunk theme.

Acting

     As I said last week in my review of Alice in Wonderland, I really didn't enjoy Mia Wasikowska's performance in the first movie. However, I thought her acting really improved this time. It was not nearly as dry as last time, and when she was supposed to be excited you could actually see she was excited. My favorite FAVORITE character was Time, who was played by Sacha Baron Cohen. He really brought the character to life. The Mad Hatter's father, Zanik Hightopp, was played by Rhys Ifans (Nanny McPhee Returns and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). I enjoyed his performance, but he kind of looked like Mr. Noodle from Elmo's World. (Sorry.)

Final Rating

     This sequel was one of the best sequels I have ever seen. I loved it even more than the original! If you're not a fan of Disney remakes or Burton films, this movie could change your mind. (Also, the movie is dedicated to Alan Rickman. Yes, I did cry.)

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What is your favorite thing about Alice Through the Looking Glass? 

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Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast (Disney's Alice in Wonderland, 2010)

Alice, an unpretentious and individual 19-year-old, is betrothed to a dunce of an English nobleman. At her engagement party, she escapes the crowd to consider whether to go through with the marriage and falls down a hole in the garden after spotting an unusual rabbit. Arriving in a strange and surreal place called "Underland," she finds herself in a world that resembles the nightmares she had as a child, filled with talking animals, villainous queens and knights, and frumious bandersnatches. Alice realizes that she is there for a reason - - to conquer the horrific Jabberwocky and restore the rightful queen to her throne. - IMDb

Story

     Unfortunately (in my opinion), the movie followed the story of most Alice in Wonderland rewrites I have read.   Alice goes to Wonderland as a little girl, comes back to the real world, forgets everything, and has to come back as a teenager to save Wonderland.   This has happened in almost every Alice in Wonderland spinoff book I've ever read, and I'm a bit tired of reading the same story over and over again.   Fortunately, Tim Burton was able to make the same old story feel fresh and new by using his slightly creepy, insane style.   I think that Burton's style really suited the story.

Visuals

     The visuals were the best of any Burton film I have seen and very impressive in comparison to Disney live-action films.   They brought whimsy to the story, but also made everything feel a bit twisted and wrong.   The CGI characters were very well animated as well.

Acting

     I'll be honest here: I wasn't overly thrilled with Mia Wasikowska's performance as Alice.   I thought she was a bit dry and boring.   I think she could have been a bit more animated.   (That being said, she is much better in the next film.   I'll talk more about that when I review Alice Through the Looking Glass.)   However, the other actors were very good.   Burton's favorites, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter, were wonderful as always.   I also really liked the voice of the Dormouse (Barbara Windsor) and the voice of the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman).

Final Rating

     Despite its shortcomings, Alice in Wonderland is a beautiful and creative take on Disney's original vision.   It really set the bar for future Disney remakes.   Alice in Wonderland fans should definitely try this film.

Bonus gif:

What is your favorite thing about Alice in Wonderland?

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The Five W's of Disney's Alice Through the Looking Glass

WHAT is this film about?

     After slipping through a mirror, Alice finds herself back in Underland with the White Queen, the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Her friends tell her that the Mad Hatter is depressed over the death of his family. Hoping to save his loved ones, Alice steals the Chronosphere from Time to travel into the past. While there, she encounters the younger Hatter and the evil Red Queen. - Google

WHO is cast in this film?

     The majority of the cast took part in the last film.   Johnny Depp (Hatter), Mia Wasikowska (Alice), Helena Bonham Carter (the Red Queen), Anne Hathaway (the White Queen), and Matt Lucas (the Tweedles) are all reprising their former roles.   However, a new main character has been added to the film.   Sacha Baron Cohen plays Time, and from the trailers, it appears that he may be a love interest for the Red Queen.   Alan Rickman, the voice of the caterpillar, passed away before the film could hit theaters.   However, we will still hear his beloved voice perform for us one final time in this film.

WHY should you see this film?

     BABY HATTER AND TWEEDLES.   Why wouldn't you want to see it?   We've waited several years for a sequel to Alice in Wonderland, and Disney and Burton fans alike are very excited to see where Alice and her friends are now.   I have high hopes for this sequel to be as good (or better!) as the original.

WHEN is it released?

TODAY, May 27, 2016

WHERE is it playing?

A theater near you!

Will you be watching Alice Through the Looking Glass?

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