While in Los Angeles for Alice Through the Looking Glass premiere event, I had the opportunity to preview the film twice. I found this movie, a sequel to Alice in Wonderland better than the original. I think once you see it, you will agree with me. Here are 5 Reasons why Alice Through the Looking Glass is better than Alice in Wonderland.
Last month, while at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we had the special opportunity of being the very first “press” audience to watch Alice Through the Looking Glass. We walked into the theater a little cautious, not knowing what to expect – would it be as trippy as the first movie, Alice in Wonderland?
Halfway through the film, my daughter leans over to me and says, “I REALLY like this movie mom!” And I whole-heartedly agreed with her. Alice Through the Looking Glass is a delightful film.
After this week in Los Angeles for the Alice Through the Looking Glass Red Carpet premiere event, I have seen the film three times. We previewed it before interviewing the talent (Director James Bobin, Producer Suzanne Todd, and Alice, Mia Wasakowski) and then again at the premiere. Now that I have had a chance to sit through the film 3 times, I can definitively say that I enjoyed Alice Through the Looking Glass much better than the original film, Alice in Wonderland.
[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Alice Kingsleigh (Wasikowska) has spent the past few years following in her 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 , Absolem, the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, who is not himself. The Hatter has lost his Muchness, so Mirana sends Alice on a quest to borrow the Chronosphere, a metallic globe inside the chamber of the Grand Clock which powers all time. Returning to the past, she comes across friends – and enemies – at different points in their lives, and embarks on a perilous race to save the Hatter before time runs out.[/dropshadowbox]
5 Reasons Why Alice Through the Looking Glass is Better than Alice in Wonderland
Alice Through the Looking Glass: The Story is Better
Alice Through the Looking Glass is a terrific story that revisits the past to give us a peek into the lives of our favorite characters. We get to learn more about the Mad Hatter’s childhood and the complicated relationship of the sisters – the White Queen and the Queen of Hearts, making these characters even more endearing to us.
I have always enjoyed the story of Alice. And while we enjoyed the first film when it was released in 2010, we weren’t as excited about it as we are this one. We re-watched Alice in Wonderland after our first screening of Alice Through the Looking Glass in Florida and realized how the story meandered a bit to follow Lewis Carroll’s version. We much preferred the newer plot line where we see time travel and a fantastic resolution.
Alice Through the Looking Glass: It’s Colorful
The one thing that always bothered me about Alice in Wonderland was that it was so dark. I always pictured Underland to be bright and colorful and I was estatic to see that Alice Through the Looking Glass Director James Bobin felt the same. The sets are so visually stunning, you can’t get enough of them. The colors are brilliant and lush – you just want to pull up a chair at the Hatter’s Tea Party and stay awhile.
When you see the film, watch the bright transition of color on screen when Alice “falls” back into Underland and see what I mean. You will never want to leave.
Alice Through the Looking Glass: Even the Costumes Tell a Story
While at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we had the pleasure of hearing from Producer Suzanne Todd. She brought along with her a few of the costumes from the film for us to see upclose. I loved hearing the stories that she told of the time and care that Costumer, Colleen Atwood put into each character’s outfits.
If you look up close at Alice’s oriental costume that she wears in two-thirds of the movie, you will see a little white rabbit and the letter “A” etched into it. Also, Sacha Baron Cohen had a great deal of input into his costume and insisted on wanting to wear tights.
Alice Through the Looking Glass: Sacha Baron Cohen
And speaking of Sacha Baron Cohen, he is amazing in his role of Time.
Created especially for this film, the character of Time is a wise, yet bumbling idiot. We all know the talents that Cohen brings to the table, but as Wasikowski mentioned during our interview, he was an incredible ad-libber as well. Apparently, Cohen could go on & on while filming. And you can see a lot of it in the film, with the under-the breath comments and the singing and rhyming you will catch coming from him. What I wouldn’t give to see that out take reel.
Alice Through the Looking Glass: Time Really is On Our Side
For anyone who has ever looked at time as being a thief, stealing away our moments as we grow older, this film is for you. As a mom of three children, I find myself often looking at them and wishing that time would slow down so we could enjoy every moment more. But as we see in Alice Through the Looking Glass, time slows down for no one. And we can’t go back to change what has happened in the past, yet we can learn from it. I loved the simple way this film reminded us to hold our moments (and memories) dear to our hearts and use them to help us forge our way into the future.
I didn’t go into Alice Through the Looking Glass thinking it would give me so much, yet I walked out of each showing appreciative of the memories I do have and optimistic about where my future was headed.
Alice Through the Looking Glass is a fantastic film for all ages. Children will enjoy the characters and the concept of time travel. Adults will enjoy the visual buffet and the characters that Depp, Cohen, and Helena Bonham Cater bring back to life. It’s a great way to spend a few hours this holiday weekend.
Alice Through the Looking Glass opens in theaters nationwide Friday, May 27, 2016
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Other Articles from the Alice Through the Looking Glass & Zootopia Blu-ray Event you may enjoy:
My Alice Through the Looking Glass Red Carpet Premiere Experience
Get to Know Alice’s Mia Wasikowski
5 Reasons Why Alice Through the Looking Glass is Better than Alice in Wonderland
Exclusive Interview with Suzanne Todd, Producer of Alice Through the Looking Glass
Zootopia’s Clark Spencer, Rich Moore, & Byron Howard
9 Things You Didn’t Know About Zootopia
Exclusive Interview with James Bobin, Director of Alice Through the Looking Glass
Disclaimer: Disney sent me to Los Angeles on an all-expenses paid press trip, in exchange for my coverage of the red carpet premiere of Alice Through the Looking Glass. All opinions are my own.
