Alice Through the Looking Glass is a 2016 American live-action/animated fantasy adventure film directed by James Bobin.
It serves as a sequel to the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland and is based on the characters created by Lewis Carroll. The screenplay was written by Linda Woolverton, and the film features returning cast members including Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. New cast members include Sacha Baron Cohen as Time, a key character in the story.
The plot follows a now 22-year-old Alice who discovers a magical looking glass that transports her back to Wonderland. There, she finds the Mad Hatter in a state of despair and learns that he is grieving for his family. To help him, Alice embarks on a time-traveling adventure using the "Chronosphere," a device that allows her to revisit pivotal moments in the lives of her friends and enemies. The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of time, all while maintaining the whimsical and visually stunning aesthetic characteristic of the franchise.
Alice Through the Looking Glass premiered in London on May 10, 2016, and was released in theaters in the United States on May 27, 2016. Although the film was praised for its impressive visuals and creative design, it received generally negative reviews from critics who felt that the story was lacking and failed to capture the charm of its predecessor. The film grossed approximately $299.5 million worldwide against a production budget of $170 million, marking it as a box-office disappointment.
Despite its mixed reception, Alice Through the Looking Glass features a vibrant score composed by Danny Elfman, and it includes notable performances from its cast, particularly from Depp and Cohen. The film is dedicated to the late Alan Rickman, who voiced the character Absolem, the caterpillar, in the previous film.
Overall, Alice Through the Looking Glass expands upon the whimsical world of Wonderland, offering a visually captivating experience while exploring deeper themes of time and personal connection. While it may not have resonated as strongly with audiences as hoped, it remains a notable entry in Disney's live-action adaptations of classic tales.