Alice Through the Looking Glass - directed by James Bobin
Screenplay: Linda Woolverton
Music Score by: Danny Elfman
Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh
Edited by: Andrew Weisblum
Running Time: 113 minutes
Rated: PG - Some fantasy spookiness and dark themes
Honestly - "Alice In Wonderland" was one of a host of movies (usually starring Johnny Depp) that completely bamboozled me in making more than a billion dollars.
Refer to the awful fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, the mediocre "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Frozen".
I didn't much enjoy any of them although to be fair "Frozen" is decent - still not a billion dollars amazing though in my view.
But - these movies are arguably not aimed at me really and obviously kids loved them enough to make them successful and all power to them I say.
All of which is to say that I was strangely looking forward to "Alice Through the Looking Glass" in spite of my feelings about the Tim Burton first instalment.
Enough in fact to book an IMAX 3D session.
As it turns out the venue was a lot of the reason that my excitement was as high as it was for this film.
The visuals and the 3D are really impressive on that huge screen with the massive bank of cranked speakers pumping out the audio.
And sure enough - the film is very, very impressive to look at and to listen to.
Master cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh has worked on a host of movies including "The Piano", "Once Were Warriors" and Michael Mann's underrated "Blackhat" and his well known skill is utilised wonderfully here to produce a jawdroppingly beautiful looking film.
It is awash in colour, glistening steel, foliage, landscapes, buildings, ships.... you name it.
All look incredible.
The opening scene sees Alice as Captain of a small sailing ship in the 1870's fleeing from pirate ships in treacherous, stormy waters.
It is a terrific, fun sequence that while wonderfully shot only hints at what is to come.
Combined with some highly effective 3D there isn't a dull frame in this entire film.
Mind you there wasn't a lot to complain about in Tim Burton's 2010 movie in this regard either.
It was certainly a visual treat even if I found the movie itself lifeless.
But, as quickly as I had grown bored with Burton's film I grew to enjoy James Bobin's sequel.
Beyond the inventiveness in the visuals I started to really enjoy Mia Wasikowska's performance as Alice.
Maybe it's because of the character's growth and confidence or perhaps the actresses but either way I found the Australian star to be a magnetic and compelling presence.
Accordingly I was disappointed to see her receive third billing in the end credits - she is the real star of this movie and make no mistake.
There are scant few scenes in which she does not appear and she is just great.
Also great is Sacha Baron Cohen as Time.
This is a fascinating character by turns menacing, funny and tragic.
The character design is strong also with intricate gold gears visible in his neck and a variance to his pallor and costume at specific moments.
I also enjoyed Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts.
She has much more depth this time out and the actress appears to be having a blast playing her.
I loved Rhys Ifans as the Mad Hatter's Father - he gets the goofiness / dramatic balance just right.
Aside from a very strong voice cast that includes Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Paul Whitehouse and Stephen Fry there is of course Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.
There is a pattern emerging here in my praise for this movie and here is yet another character that is given far more to do with a better backstory, more emotion and funnier lines.
Depp, while not as impressive as Cohen, Carter and specially Wasikowska is definitely better than he has been in the last three Pirates movies or pretty much anything in the last five years outside of his "Black Mass" role.
The weak link for me is Anne Hathaway but she is far from bad- just a little flat and lifeless.
I like Hathaway but I often see her in roles where she looks bored and sadly this is one of them.
Not to gush too much about this movie but I had a lot of fun with it.
I concede that there is a lot of stalling and several scenes that exist seemingly only to pad out the film's running time.
The story told could have been done in about half the time but then I didn't mind one little bit.
The animation of the animals from the dog, rabbit, hare and of course Cheshire Cat is top notch.
Sure- "The Jungle Book" is still streets ahead but that is testament to the amazing work of that movie more than it is a criticism of this one.
It is also refreshing to see such a strong female character in a movie like this. Alice is a supremely well realised character who is very much a hero character - likeable, powerful and very, very easy to be completely onboard with throughout her journey.
She joins Rey from Star Wars and Furiosa in Mad Max in this regard and it is no wonder that everyone she meets in Wonderland falls for her charm.
And to the films credit there is still room for a moral at its centre and it works very well indeed.
No matter how you cut it Disney is nailing this last year with this movie, "The Jungle Book", "Captain America: The Civil War" and of course "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" all well and truly earning their respective box office successes.
I really, really hope that "Alice Through the Looking Glass" follows suit - it is a fine film and a lot of fun for all ages.
RATING: 75 / 100
CONCLUSION: A Visually delight awash in colour, imagination and beauty. A great central performance and a script that is wittier and smarter than its predecessor make this easy to recommend.
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, Rhys Ifans, Richard Armitage, Matt Lucas, Lindsay Duncan, Andrew Scott, Ed Speleers, Geraldine James, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Paul Whitehouse, Stephen Fry, Barbara Windsor, Michael Sheen
Screenplay: Linda Woolverton
Music Score by: Danny Elfman
Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh
Edited by: Andrew Weisblum
Running Time: 113 minutes
Rated: PG - Some fantasy spookiness and dark themes
Refer to the awful fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, the mediocre "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Frozen".
I didn't much enjoy any of them although to be fair "Frozen" is decent - still not a billion dollars amazing though in my view.
But - these movies are arguably not aimed at me really and obviously kids loved them enough to make them successful and all power to them I say.
All of which is to say that I was strangely looking forward to "Alice Through the Looking Glass" in spite of my feelings about the Tim Burton first instalment.
Enough in fact to book an IMAX 3D session.
 |
| The visual effects, costumes, creature and production design are top notch and make this a visual delight |
The visuals and the 3D are really impressive on that huge screen with the massive bank of cranked speakers pumping out the audio.
And sure enough - the film is very, very impressive to look at and to listen to.
Master cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh has worked on a host of movies including "The Piano", "Once Were Warriors" and Michael Mann's underrated "Blackhat" and his well known skill is utilised wonderfully here to produce a jawdroppingly beautiful looking film.
It is awash in colour, glistening steel, foliage, landscapes, buildings, ships.... you name it.
All look incredible.
The opening scene sees Alice as Captain of a small sailing ship in the 1870's fleeing from pirate ships in treacherous, stormy waters.
It is a terrific, fun sequence that while wonderfully shot only hints at what is to come.
Combined with some highly effective 3D there isn't a dull frame in this entire film.
Mind you there wasn't a lot to complain about in Tim Burton's 2010 movie in this regard either.
It was certainly a visual treat even if I found the movie itself lifeless.
 |
| The trailers would have you believe that this is a Johnny Depp film but rest assured it belongs to Mia Wasikowska |
Beyond the inventiveness in the visuals I started to really enjoy Mia Wasikowska's performance as Alice.
Maybe it's because of the character's growth and confidence or perhaps the actresses but either way I found the Australian star to be a magnetic and compelling presence.
Accordingly I was disappointed to see her receive third billing in the end credits - she is the real star of this movie and make no mistake.
There are scant few scenes in which she does not appear and she is just great.
Also great is Sacha Baron Cohen as Time.
This is a fascinating character by turns menacing, funny and tragic.
The character design is strong also with intricate gold gears visible in his neck and a variance to his pallor and costume at specific moments.
I also enjoyed Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts.
She has much more depth this time out and the actress appears to be having a blast playing her.
I loved Rhys Ifans as the Mad Hatter's Father - he gets the goofiness / dramatic balance just right.
Aside from a very strong voice cast that includes Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Paul Whitehouse and Stephen Fry there is of course Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.
There is a pattern emerging here in my praise for this movie and here is yet another character that is given far more to do with a better backstory, more emotion and funnier lines.
Depp, while not as impressive as Cohen, Carter and specially Wasikowska is definitely better than he has been in the last three Pirates movies or pretty much anything in the last five years outside of his "Black Mass" role.
The weak link for me is Anne Hathaway but she is far from bad- just a little flat and lifeless.
I like Hathaway but I often see her in roles where she looks bored and sadly this is one of them.
 |
| The supporting cast is exceptional but the standouts are Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter |
I concede that there is a lot of stalling and several scenes that exist seemingly only to pad out the film's running time.
The story told could have been done in about half the time but then I didn't mind one little bit.
The animation of the animals from the dog, rabbit, hare and of course Cheshire Cat is top notch.
Sure- "The Jungle Book" is still streets ahead but that is testament to the amazing work of that movie more than it is a criticism of this one.
It is also refreshing to see such a strong female character in a movie like this. Alice is a supremely well realised character who is very much a hero character - likeable, powerful and very, very easy to be completely onboard with throughout her journey.
She joins Rey from Star Wars and Furiosa in Mad Max in this regard and it is no wonder that everyone she meets in Wonderland falls for her charm.
And to the films credit there is still room for a moral at its centre and it works very well indeed.
No matter how you cut it Disney is nailing this last year with this movie, "The Jungle Book", "Captain America: The Civil War" and of course "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" all well and truly earning their respective box office successes.
I really, really hope that "Alice Through the Looking Glass" follows suit - it is a fine film and a lot of fun for all ages.
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