Alice Through the Looking Glass

As we are continuing with the summer film season, we will be offered a plethora of fantastical and whimsical films in which to sink our teeth into. As with the original "Alice in Wonderland", we are offered "Alice Through the Looking Glass" as a tidy continuation of the madcap adventures of Alice and friends.

Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter from a desperate state of mind.
Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) has spent the past few years following in her late father's footsteps and sailing the high seas. Upon her return to London, she comes across a magical looking glass and returns to the fantastical realm of Underland and her friends the White Rabbit (voice of Michael Sheen), Absolem (voice of Alan Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (voice of Stephen Fry) and the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) who is in a terrible state. You see, the Hatter has lost his Muchness, so Mirana (Ann Hathaway) sends Alice on a quest to borrow the Chronosphere, a metallic globe inside the chamber of the Grand Clock which powers all time, from Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) himself, although not without a fight. Returning to the past, she comes across friends-- and enemies, namely the Red Queen/ Iracebeth (Helena Bonham Carter)-- at different points in their lives, and embarks on a perilous race to save the Hatter before time runs out.

Others to round out the cast are Rhys Ifans as Zanik Hightopp, the Hatter's father, Matt Lucas as Tweedledee/Tweedledum, Lindsay Duncan as Helen Kingsleigh, Alice's mother, Leo Bill as Hamish, Geraldine James as Lady Ascot, Timothy Spall as voice of Bayard, Paul Whitehouse as voice of Thackery, Barbara Windsor as voice of Mallymkun and  Matt Vogel as voice of Wilkins.

This was whimsically directed by James Bobin ("The Muppets" '11, "Muppets Most Wanted" '14) plus TV. This certainly had to be directed in a way that was similar to that of Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" to give us the same feel so as to follow along in this next installment and I believe Bobin pulled this off very well. This isn't easy to do, especially when each director has their own style. So it begs the question: even with his past experience, could this filmmaker actually pull off an entirely original film with the finesse he did with this? Time will tell. It was beautifully written by Linda Woolverton ("Beauty and the Beast" '91, "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" '93, "The Lion King" '94, "Alice in Wonderland" '10, "Maleficent" '14) plus a ton of TV. This writer has got to be one of the most creative writers out there today, and even though there were a couple of very small slow places about midway of the film, this film's script was concise, well thought out and entertaining. If you're looking for more of her work, not to worry-- she'll be writing "Maleficent 2" which has been announced. One other artist I just have to mention is that of the costume designer, Colleen Atwood ("Edward Scissorhands" '90, "Planet of the Apes" 01, "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" '07, "Alice in Wonderland" '10, "The Huntsman: Winter's War" '16) plus tons of other films too numerous to list. By her very resume, Atwood is one of the most talented designers I have seen in years. Her costumes fit the feel of the character she's creating for so well that any time I see a film, I can tell if she's designed the costumes-- they are that distinct. And lastly, the visuals predominantly created by SPI (Sony Pictures Imageworks) were, as with the original, seamless and gave the audience that otherworldly feel that we've all come to know reading the books by Lewis Carroll which the film is based on.

If pure unadulterated escape into another world with interesting and creative characters rocks your world, look no further, this will definitely be the joy ride you're looking for. However, if you are more of the realist when it comes to storyline, this won't be for you. But who wouldn't want to get away for a couple of hours and escape into a whimsical world? Enjoy this, all in a nifty IMAX and 3D format. Grab the popcorn and have fun.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                  Rated: PG                                    113mins.