Sequels are never as good as the originals

“Alice Through the Looking Glass” suffers in comparison to the original film “Alice In Wonderland”

Sequels are never as good as the originals

By: Alex Malawski, Reporter

Following the success of Tim Burton’s quirky and unique remake of “Alice In Wonderland”, “Alice Through The Looking Glass” is a colorful feat, but also bleak and sloppy. From the odd mind of Tim Burton, (now producing the film), brings a magical, enchanting film that is a step backwards from the 2010 blockbuster.

The performances in this film are nowhere near as jaw dropping, breathtaking and spectacular because of the film’s godawful screenplay written by Linda Woolverton (Maleficent). With a usually talented ensemble this film is garbage when it comes to seeing stellar and outstanding performances from the talents of: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, and the late-great, Alan Rickman.

“Through The Looking Glass” displays flamboyant and extravagant costumes without a doubt, just like it’s predecessor. That is what makes the film enjoyable as a distraction from a terrible script. The film also has to offer stunning eye-popping visuals as another diversion for audiences.

Returning to score for the “Alice” films is the bubbly and gripping Danny Elfman, (The Nightmare Before Christmas). His composition in this film has some of the same fast-paced, classical, staccato vibes as the predecessor from 2010.

Sacha Baron Cohen (Madagascar), plays the weakling of a villain in this sequel, as Time. With a horrendous accent, differs from his own British dialect, his performance is undoubtedly one of the worst of his career.

James Bobin (The Muppets) takes over Tim Burton’s directing duties this time around, and it’s a failure. His approach with this film had more color and lots of awesome costumes, but was joined with a dreadful script. Overall he made a mess out of this film.

With a critically acclaimed predecessor, this successor is nowhere near as exciting and thoroughly entertaining as other classic Disney remakes.

 

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman (last role), Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Matt Lucas, Sacha Baron Cohen

Director: James Bobin

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 1 Hour & 53 Minutes

Synopsis:

After slipping through a mirror, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) finds herself back in Underland with the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Her friends tell her that the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) is in a funk over the loss of his family. Hoping to save her loved ones, Alice steals the Chronosphere from Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) to travel into the past. While there, she encounters the younger Hatter and the evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter).

Rate: D+