When a movie makes a billion dollars, you make a sequel–even if the original was a jumbled mess that was easily one of the worst movies of 2010. So here we are, six years later, same cast, different director and another CGI-filled adventure called Alice Through the Looking Glass, a movie that isn’t nearly as bad or incoherent as its predecessor.
Even if that isn’t saying much.
The best thing about Alice Through the Looking Glass is that it is no longer directed by Tim Burton, who lost his way long ago. James Bobin, though his only major theatrical credits are the two Muppet movies, maintains the visual aesthetic from the original while toning down the chaotic storytelling just enough to make this sequel not so… horrible. Er, chaotic.
Mia Wasikowska, who I slammed in my review of the original as “not making a convincing heroine” and being “not terrible,” does a fine job, and certainly makes a convincing heroine this go-around (sadly, despite being the star, she is inexplicably given third billing behind Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway). Speaking of Depp, he isn’t as obnoxious as he has been in recent years, even if his Mad Hatter is rather uninspired this go-around, while Hathaway’s role is so insignificant she isn’t even worth mentioning.
On the positive side, new addition Sacha Boren Cohen gives a spirited performance as Time.
The movie itself is not as bad as expected–it’s lazily entertaining, even if it still feels like a lot of random things are thrown at the audience to see what sticks. Had it been 20 minutes shorter (there’s no reason for this movie to be nearly two hours long) it would have just been right; as is, the slim story feels stretched to the limit, even if it operates at a fast pace.
Alice Through the Looking Glass is not a very good movie, but it’s not a terrible one, either. For hyperactive kids, it has enough hyperactive goofiness to hold their attention, and for parents, it’s story isn’t quite so insufferable. How’s that for a movie poster quote?
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.