Film critic Sean Patrick reviews Alice Through the Looking Glass. It’s better than Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, but still overwhelmed by CGI and odd performances.
By Sean Patrick, Regional Media Film Critic
Released in 2016, Alice Through the Looking Glass arrives as the sequel to Tim Burton’s 2010 Alice in Wonderland—a film I genuinely despised. I still do, six years later. That original outing was an irritating display of cloying whimsy, ugly CGI, and grating performances—particularly from Johnny Depp.
Fortunately, Alice Through the Looking Glass, directed by James Bobin, manages to rise above its predecessor—though only barely.
Plot Summary
This time around, the story hinges on the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), who is falling into a deep melancholy. He believes his long-lost family, presumed dead, might still be alive. When no one believes him, he begins to fade away both emotionally and physically. Alice (Mia Wasikowska) must travel back in time to uncover the truth.
To do this, she seeks help from Time himself, played by Sacha Baron Cohen. In one surprisingly moving scene, Cohen and Wasikowska manage a rare emotional connection—one of the only genuinely effective moments in the film.
Performance & Visuals
But one scene isn’t enough to save a movie so weighed down by excessive CGI. Nothing in this film feels tangible. Even basic set pieces—like handrails—are rendered digitally. The result is a visually exhausting film that offers little in the way of immersion or wonder.
Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the Mad Hatter continues to be aggressively grating. His performance, like much of the film, is loud, chaotic, and difficult to endure.
Final Verdict
Alice Through the Looking Glass is not a good movie. It is, however, a less bad movie than its predecessor. That’s the best I can say. While it has a moment or two of clarity, they’re quickly swallowed by the same garish spectacle that plagued the first film.
Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
I’m Sean Patrick. Thanks for reading.
Alice Through the Looking Glass, Movie Review, Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Sacha Baron Cohen, Disney Movies, Tim Burton, Film Critic, CGI, Fantasy Films, Sequel Review
