ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS (2016) Movie Review
Romans 12:6-7 says, “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.” (NLT)
When first we met Alice, she is a girl facing an undesirable future. Desperate to escape, she runs after a curious looking white rabbit and finds herself on a hero’s journey in Underland (aka Wonderland). She returns home after learning to accept herself, her dreams, and her drive to make a difference in the world.
In this fantastic sequel, she returns to Underland after experiencing another personal crisis. Despite her accomplishments, society remains against her. Her seeks comfort in her fashion. She seeks fulfillment beyond marriage and motherhood. She seeks to carry on the legacy of her father.
However, no one in society supports her. No one acknowledges her accomplishments. No one understands her ambitions. Not even her mother. She is even committed to an asylum after she is witnessed crawling under furniture. Thus, she is diagnosed with female hysteria, described as “excitable, emotional, and prone to fantasy.”
This presents an intriguing question not mentioned in the first Alice: Is Underland real or is Underland in her head?
Here is what we know.
Underland calls to her in times of crisis.
Alice:
Her quest is to fight the Jabberwocky and restore the White Queen to the throne. In doing so, she proves that she is capable of anything. She emerges with the strength to stand up for her calling to follow in her father’s footsteps. Instead of settling for the marriage she dreads, she embarks on a quest to honor the legacy of her father.
Through the Looking Glass:
Her quest is to save the Hatter’s life and find his family. Again she finds herself in a battle against the Red Queen, but emerges victorious with a sacrificial heart. Having saved the Hatter’s family from the Red Queen, she then makes a sacrifice to protect her mother.
Whether it’s real or not, Underland serves as a positive influence in her life.
“The only thing worth doing is what we do for others,” she affirms.
This is her primary motto that she applies to everyone in her life from the Hatter to her mother. It gives her the strength she needs to own her personality, follow her calling, and ultimately fight for those she loves.
