Alice Through the Looking Glass Parent Guide
All the computerized glitz is so distracting that even the actors seem lost amongst it.
Parent Movie Review
Since we last saw Lewis Carroll’s famous character (played by Mia Wasikowska) in Disney’s 2010 Alice in Wonderland, the young woman has been on a seafaring voyage where she has captained a ship, outwitted pirates and accomplished many things too impossible to be done by a female living in the 1870s. When she returns to England she is immediately swamped by the harsh realities of some new circumstance and her old-fashioned society. Drowning in her personal losses and dismal prospects, Alice hears the call of Wonderland once again. This time she enters the curious kingdom by stepping through a looking glass – and what she finds there mirrors some of the misfortunes of her own life.
In her absence the Hatter (Johnny Depp) has become even more mad than his usual self. It happened shortly after he discovered an artifact from his past and became convinced his family did not die in a fiery attack as previously assumed. Sadly, no one believes him, so the Hatter sinks into a deep depression that his friends fear may be fatal. The arrival of Alice brings hope, although the only way Queen Mirana (Anne Hathaway) can think of to save the redheaded milliner is to send Alice into the past where she can prevent the tragedy that claimed the lives of the Hightopp clan. And in order to do that the girl must confront Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen) where she must beg, borrow or steal the device that controls the clockwork of the entire universe.
Of course it is a dangerous and risky mission, yet despite being warned that she cannot change the past (she can only learn from it), the headstrong and loyal friend climbs aboard the forbidden time machine and plunges into her next impossible adventure.
What follows is a race against Time and a tussle with the Queen of Hearts (Helena Bonham Carter), all wrapped up in some quirky costumes and amazing special effects. Unfortunately, all the computerized glitz is so distracting that even the actors seem lost amongst it. Delivering less than their best performances, the fantastical scenes and action sequences (that are likely too scary for young children) are left to carry the show.
Perhaps the biggest shame is that the film’s positive messages are also obscured. Along with some interesting allegories about time and the way we spend it, the production depicts the importance of family, the big consequences of telling small lies, the need for apologies, the freedom of forgiving and the power of friendship. Finding these themes may feel like an impossible task even for older audiences and faithful fans of Alice.
Directed by James Bobin. Starring Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Anne Hathaway. Running time: 113 minutes. Theatrical release May 27, 2016. Updated July 17, 2017About author
Alice Through the Looking Glass
Rating & Content Info
Why is Alice Through the Looking Glass rated PG? Alice Through the Looking Glass is rated PG by the MPAA for fantasy action/peril and some language.
Violence: Many scenes depict characters in various states of peril as they are about to fall, be crushed or otherwise injured. Characters argue and squabble, as well as ignore warnings and lie and steal. Property destruction and presumed loss of life follow a raid by a fire-breathing creature. Ships exchange cannonball fire causing damage and some people are swept off the decks. A Humpty Dumpty character falls and breaks into pieces—one piece contains his eye which is still open and alive. Characters mourn the death of family members. A young child falls and hits her head against a concrete curb. A character is placed in an insane asylum and threated with a syringe full of an unknown medicine. Characters chase one another and hold people against their will. Characters are transformed and frozen.
Sexual Content: A woman flirts and sulks to try and manipulate a man into give her what she wants.
Language: The script contains a few mild profanities, some name calling and slurs.
Alcohol / Drug Use: An injection of an unknown substance is depicted within a medical context. Food substances are eaten that contain magical powers.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
Alice Through the Looking Glass Parents' Guide
When a sister lies about an event and leads her mother to blame her innocent sibling, it creates a rift between them that has far reaching consequences. Why are we reluctant to apologize and reveal the truth when we’ve made a mistake? Likewise, how does forgiveness allow relationships and people to move forward in life? Why does our own position on an issue always seem to be the most correct or important? How does pride fit into these situations?
A character feels that turning back the hands of time will resolve a problem. If you could go back in time to fix something you did wrong, what would it be? Seeing as this is impossible to do (at least at the time of this being written!) what real things could you do to help correct the situation?
A father and son have a misunderstanding regarding the son’s ability to work in the family trade. How do parents influence their children’s future prospects of employment? How can we work to encourage others without leaving them feeling they must follow our advice? Why is allowing our children to become independent so important?
Alice says: “The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.” How do you feel about this statement? How does the way we see a situation influence the way we tackle it? Do you really think it is possible to do all things that are assumed to be impossible?
News About "Alice Through the Looking Glass"
This movie is based on the work of Lewis Carroll (the pseudonym of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) who authored the books Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Alice Through the Looking Glass movie is October 18, 2016. Here are some details…
Home Video Notes: Alice Through the Glass
Release Date: 18 October 2016
Alice Through the Glass releases to home video (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) with the following special features:
- A Stitch in Time: Costuming Wonderland – Three-time Oscar®-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Memoirs of a Geisha”) explains how costuming helps shape the curious characters of Underland and reveals hidden Easter Eggs within the cast’s ornate outfits.
- Music Video: “Just Like Fire” by P!nk – “Watch this madness, colorful charade” in P!nk’s music video for “Just Like Fire,” the hit song featured in “Alice Through the Looking Glass” that powered to the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
- Behind the Music Video – Go on set with P!nk for production of her “Just Like Fire” music video, featuring fantastical imagery, aerial stunts, Underland character cameos, and guest appearances by P!nk’s family.
- Behind The Looking Glass – Jump back and forth through time during this in-depth look into the making of “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” hosted by director James Bobin.
Time On… – Delight in this discussion with the unpredictable and witty Sacha Baron Cohen who plays Time, the keeper of the Chronosphere, a metallic sphere that powers all time.
Alice Goes Through the Looking Glass: A Scene Peeler – View a side-by-side comparison of raw production footage and final scenes, as Alice enters Underland through a magical looking glass.
- Alice Goes Through Time’s Castle: A Scene Peeler – View raw production footage alongside final scenes, as Alice enters Time’s castle of eternity.
- Characters of Underland – Get to know the quirky and colorful supporting characters in Underland, such as the tubby twins known as the Tweedles (Matt Lucas) and Absolem (Alan Rickman), the blue caterpillar turned blue Monarch butterfly.
Filmmaker Audio Commentary by James Bobin – Director James Bobin delivers scene-by-scene insight into the creation of “Alice Through the Looking Glass.”
- Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary – Bobin introduces five never-before-seen scenes that didn’t make the final cut of Disney’s spectacular adventure.
Related home video titles:
This movie is the sequel to, and stars the same cast as, the 2010 Alice in Wonderland. Mia Wasikowska can be seen in another classic novel adaptation—Jane Eyre. Johnny Depp plays a slightly mad, seafaring man in Pirates of the Caribbean.
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