Mia Wasikowska once again plays Alice in Disney's "Alice Through the Looking Glass," based very, very loosely on the book of the same name by Lewis Carroll. Screenwriter Linda Woolverton ("Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King") uses the colorful characters created by Carroll, then concocts a freewheeling story of her own.
Mia Wasikowska once again plays Alice in Disney's "Alice Through the Looking Glass," based very, very loosely on the book of the same name by Lewis Carroll. Screenwriter Linda Woolverton ("Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King") uses the colorful characters created by Carroll, then concocts a freewheeling story of her own. This time out Alice is a grown woman who is the captain of her late father's ship. When she returns to London, following a harrowing escape at sea, she is informed by her rejected suitor and owner of the company she works for that she will no longer be in charge of the vessel.
Faced with a personal crisis she encounters the blue butterfly, Absolem (voiced by the late Alan Rickman of "Harry Potter" fame). He informs her that her dear friend of yesteryear, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), is indeed going mad with depression over the loss of his family. He is certain that they are still alive but he doesn't know how to find them. Absolem urges Alice to return to Underland (Wonderland) to help the Hatter. She accepts the challenge and follows the butterfly by leaping head first through the looking glass. Back in the magical realm of "Wonderland" she is reunited with the countless characters from her youthful past–the white rabbit, Cheshire cat, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee and of course the not so nice Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and her nicer sister, the White Queen (Anne Hathaway). Newly added to the mix is Time (Sacha Baron Cohen). And while time can be your enemy, he might also turn out to be your reluctant friend.
The film is visually stunning with colorful, imaginative sets and costumes. Modern kids who love Marvel Comic thrills will appreciate the on-screen action sequences in the movie, while parents who savored the Carroll classic in their youth may long for the mimsy-whimsical language of the nonsensical original.
The film, 1 hour and 53 minutes in length, is rated PG for fantasy action, peril and some language. The story line is complicated, but two youngsters I talked with after the movie (about 7 or 9) really enjoyed it.
If you see "Alice Through the Looking Glass" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood you will be able to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of Underland (AKA Wonderland) even before the movie begins as your watch their all-new light and projection show. After the movie step downstairs where you can take a good look at an exclusive display of props and costumes used in the making of the movie. For more information or to order tickets ahead of time go to 1-800-DISNEY6 or online at www.elcapitantickets.com. After the movie visit the adjacent Disney gift shop and check out the 'wonder-land-ful' toys like Alice and Mad Hatter figures and plush toys like the Cheshire cat and white rabbit.
The film runs now through June 12. Then on June 17 through August 7, check out Disney Pixar's "Finding Dory" at the El Capitan which will have a stage show before the film called "The Bubble Guy" described as "a breathtaking bubble extravaganza." After the film there will be an interactive and educational exhibit from Aquarium of the Pacific..
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Come and meet those dancing feet of the Broadway musical sensation "42nd Street," now at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through June 19 only.
"42nd Street" is a toe-tapping, song-filled treat—an ageless tribute to Broadway, Broadway musicals and the dreams of all who have tap danced their hearts out in a Broadway show. It's an ageless show that not only has legs–it has countless tap dancing feet. It's also a show filled to the brim with enduring song classics like "42nd Street," " "I Only Have Eyes For You," ""We're In The Money," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" and the Oscar winning hit "Lullaby of Broadway," all written by Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyrics.)
And wow! The opening is unforgettable as the curtain slowly rises, revealing what seems like hundreds of tap dancing feet. Young dancers have come together to audition for an all new show under the direction of Broadway legend Julian Marsh (Matthew J. Taylor). Peggy Sawyer (Caitlin Ehlinger) newly arrived in NYC from Allentown, Pa. has come late to audition, but catches the eye not only of the show's young tenor Billy Lawlor (Blake Stadnik.) but Julian Marsh as well. She also immediately clashes with the star, Dorothy Brock (Kaitlin Lawrence) and as fate would have it, when an accident befalls the haughty star, young Peggy might leap out of the chorus and into the leading role.. Love, comedy and toe-tapping music all come together in this rousing, fun-filled razzle dazzle revival at the Pantages.
"42nd Street," at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. (just east of Vine St.), now through June 19th only. For tickets go to: www.hollywoodpantages.comor www.Ticketmaster.comor by phone at 1-800-982-2787. Running time: 2 hours and 20 minutes including intermission. Tickets start at $29 in the orchestra.
