'Alice Through the Looking Glass' (1985)
Opening thoughts: 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' is not the childhood favourite in that 'Alice in Wonderland' was, but it is every bit as good with even kookier characters, clever prose, a magical, wonderfully strange atmosphere and every bit as memorable situations. Again more than making up for the episodic structure and that the supporting characters are more interesting than the protagonist.
While very fond of the first half that adapted 'Alice in Wonderland', for me despite the lower rating on here the adaptation of 'Alice Through the Looking Glass'is marginally superior. Due to the generally more vivid visuals, tighter pacing, kookier atmosphetre and the more consistent in quality performances and songs. Not perfect by all means, it is still uneven but it is well worth checking out. Warts and all, to me it is one of the better adaptations of the book.
Bad things: Again, there are performances, songs and scenes that don't work very well. Have never seen Ernest Borgnine looking as uncomfortable or as bored looking as he does and Jonathan Winters is quite dull as Humpty Dumpty. Beau Bridges also comes over as too fey.
While there are much more scenes that work more than they don't, the awkward and under-rehearsed staging of the Lion and the Unicorn scene underwhelms rather. Although the Walrus and the Carpenter scene is quite fun, it was somewhat difficult to get past the cheap costuming (Walrus looks ridiculous). Did find the Tweedledee and Tweedledum songs too samey and the "Lion and the Unicorn" number is repetitive.
Good things: Natalie Gregory continues to endear as Alice, nothing bland or precocious about her whatsoever. If anything, she is even more confident here and more resourceful, which fits perfectly with Alice's character growth. Most of the rest of the performances are every bit as impressive, especially Ann Jillian's imposing Red Queen, Carol Channing's riotous White Queen and Lloyd Bridges' chivalrous and touching White Knight.
Most of the songs are fine in a more consistent song score compared to 'Alice in Wonderland'. Faring best are "Emotions" (with Jillian providing the best singing of the whole adaptation), the poignant "We are Dancing" (loved the chemistry bwtween Gregory and Bridges) and the hilarious "Jam Tomorrow, Jam Yesterday". There are a lot of great individual scenes, notably the deliciously kooky scene on the train, "We are Dancing", "Emotions" and the tear jerker that is the ending. Lets not forget the nail biting climax, with the Jabberwocky being genuinely nightmarish. Its appearance at the party is a jump scare and a half.
The sets are very colourful and designed lovingly, with a mix of eeriness in any part with the Jabberwocky and sumptuous colour with the Flower Garden. The atmosphere is a great mix of eerie, oddball, funny, whimsical and colourful. And the dialogue is clever, faithful in spirit to the story, some of it is literally lifted out of the pages of the book(s). In regard to the story, it is mostly very well-adapted, with a tighter pace to before. The music is a lovely mix of haunting, whimsical and vibrant, never at odds to the action. Loved the overtures to both of the two parts.
Concluding: Overall, good and well worth a look.
7/10.
Opening thoughts: 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' is not the childhood favourite in that 'Alice in Wonderland' was, but it is every bit as good with even kookier characters, clever prose, a magical, wonderfully strange atmosphere and every bit as memorable situations. Again more than making up for the episodic structure and that the supporting characters are more interesting than the protagonist.
While very fond of the first half that adapted 'Alice in Wonderland', for me despite the lower rating on here the adaptation of 'Alice Through the Looking Glass'is marginally superior. Due to the generally more vivid visuals, tighter pacing, kookier atmosphetre and the more consistent in quality performances and songs. Not perfect by all means, it is still uneven but it is well worth checking out. Warts and all, to me it is one of the better adaptations of the book.
Bad things: Again, there are performances, songs and scenes that don't work very well. Have never seen Ernest Borgnine looking as uncomfortable or as bored looking as he does and Jonathan Winters is quite dull as Humpty Dumpty. Beau Bridges also comes over as too fey.
While there are much more scenes that work more than they don't, the awkward and under-rehearsed staging of the Lion and the Unicorn scene underwhelms rather. Although the Walrus and the Carpenter scene is quite fun, it was somewhat difficult to get past the cheap costuming (Walrus looks ridiculous). Did find the Tweedledee and Tweedledum songs too samey and the "Lion and the Unicorn" number is repetitive.
Good things: Natalie Gregory continues to endear as Alice, nothing bland or precocious about her whatsoever. If anything, she is even more confident here and more resourceful, which fits perfectly with Alice's character growth. Most of the rest of the performances are every bit as impressive, especially Ann Jillian's imposing Red Queen, Carol Channing's riotous White Queen and Lloyd Bridges' chivalrous and touching White Knight.
Most of the songs are fine in a more consistent song score compared to 'Alice in Wonderland'. Faring best are "Emotions" (with Jillian providing the best singing of the whole adaptation), the poignant "We are Dancing" (loved the chemistry bwtween Gregory and Bridges) and the hilarious "Jam Tomorrow, Jam Yesterday". There are a lot of great individual scenes, notably the deliciously kooky scene on the train, "We are Dancing", "Emotions" and the tear jerker that is the ending. Lets not forget the nail biting climax, with the Jabberwocky being genuinely nightmarish. Its appearance at the party is a jump scare and a half.
The sets are very colourful and designed lovingly, with a mix of eeriness in any part with the Jabberwocky and sumptuous colour with the Flower Garden. The atmosphere is a great mix of eerie, oddball, funny, whimsical and colourful. And the dialogue is clever, faithful in spirit to the story, some of it is literally lifted out of the pages of the book(s). In regard to the story, it is mostly very well-adapted, with a tighter pace to before. The music is a lovely mix of haunting, whimsical and vibrant, never at odds to the action. Loved the overtures to both of the two parts.
Concluding: Overall, good and well worth a look.
7/10.
