5 Things Learned From Through the Looking Glass

I was almost driven mad with anticipation for Alice Through the Looking Glass. The original animated movie as well as the live action version are just so fun and colorful, like your imagination in high definition. The sequel is no different. This movie is whimsical, full of fancy, excitement, action, and some important messages for the viewers. I walked away deep in thought about what it meant to me. So instead of my usual movie review, I'm sharing: 5 Things Learned From Through the Looking Glass.

Time is not money. Nor a thief out to get you. Time is a gift.

The major theme of this movie is Time. He is a person, he is a thing, he is Time. Although usually portrayed as a villain both in our lives and in the movie- time steals from you, running out of time, time is not kind- he ended up teaching us all a valuable lesson. Time is not bad. He is a constant presence and what we choose to do with time is what is important. Time is a gift, if we use it properly.

Family is important. You only get one.

During the story we learn a lot about the history of the Mad Hatter and both Queens. Alice must also come to terms with what is important to her and save her own family. Despite everything, the ups, downs, and sideways moments, family is family. You only get one and you must treasure it no matter what.

A dream might be more real than you think.

This point is made at the end, when Alice bids farewell to her friends. It is comforting to think that maybe our dreams are a little more real and reality a bit more dreamlike than we might think. See more on my reaction to this below.

Just because our children do not do things our way doesn't make them wrong.

Alice's mother asks her why she must always be so headstrong. Something I've been asked myself a lot. Her mother might not like it or even agree with it but Alice is who Alice is meant to be. Likewise the Hatter is not like his father. His father thought hatting a serious business, judging his son's abilities and personality accordingly.

As a parent we need to be cautious about how we treat our children's ambitions. Just because it isn't “right” to us does not make it wrong.

You can't change the past. But you can learn from it.

To save the Hatter, Alice steals from time in order to travel into the past. He warns her you cannot change the past only learn from it. It takes her a few times, but she finally understands. And what a great lesson for us all to grasp. I think everyone is guilty at least once in their lives wishing they could go change the past. But we can't, so instead of dwelling on it, we should take the lessons it taught and use them to make the present and future better.

I'm reminded of other sage Disney council “The past can hurt, but the way I see it you can either run from it, or learn from it.”

What age should my child be to see this movie? We took our 6 and 10 year olds. My daughter has read both books and the pair of them have seen the movies. I think overall the storyline and nuances might go a bit over the head of the younger kids. There are dark, jump out at you moments which made both kids start. Throughout the film, lighthearted scenes are found, whether it is the curious talk of the Tweedles or the giggles from our friends at the tea party. The movie has some sad times too, that my son knew were sad while my daughter cried like I did.

Both kids enjoyed watching the movie and want to see it again. If your child was able to sit through and enjoy the first Alice in Wonderland then I think you should be good to go. As for the scarier moments, watch out during the story of what happened to the Hatter's family as well as during her time travel back to that point. My son also jumped with scenes inside Time's castle when his Seconds turned a little cranky.

Absolutely loved the Tea Party with Time. Why is it you wait for no man?

Confession: I had an ugly cry at the end. Now to be fair I usually tear up in a Disney movie. They just know how to get you right in the feels. Sometimes I don't expect to get emotional, looking at you Guardians of the Galaxy, but this one gave me a strong feeling that it would happen. The final scene between Alice and the Mad Hatter got me good. I think it may have been a combination of the saying goodbye to a favorite character and the fact of what was said. If you have ever lost someone you loved deeply, this will get you. Tearing up just thinking about it!

For more Alice Through the Looking Glass fun download these Free Printables!

Alice Through the Looking Glass is in theaters May 27th 2016!

Comments

Dawn McAlexander

May 26, 2016 at 2:57 pm

I loved the Alice in Wonderland movie with Johnny Depp. I am sure that this one will be just as good!

Cathy

May 26, 2016 at 3:09 pm

What an absolutely wonderful review! I love the angle you took with it and want to see the movie even more after reading your thoughts.

Jennifer Borget

May 26, 2016 at 11:46 pm

This perfectly sums of the movie! My daughter wants to see this movie, and it’d be nice to use some of your points to discuss with her after the movie!

Lois Alter Mark

May 27, 2016 at 12:09 am

I love these lessons and can’t wait to see the movie. It looks fantastic!

Amy

May 27, 2016 at 7:07 am

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass is actually my favorite book and I even have an early edition copy of it. The lessons taught are wonderful and they are lessons that even today need to be reinforced. This will go on my summer movie list to check out!

Heather Lawrence

May 27, 2016 at 9:10 am

Adding this to my list of movies that we need to watch, for some reason we missed it the first time around but I have heard such wonderful things about it I really need to settle down with a big bowl of popcorn and see what all the fuss is about. Love the “learn from your past”… I’m doing that every day!

Alicia Taylor

May 27, 2016 at 12:47 pm

We are taking my niece to see this on Sunday for her 23rd birthday. I must confess, though, I am excited as well. It sounds like a great story line with some important lessons, but if I know Johnny Depp, none of those lessons became preachy (a la Transformers).

Tonya C

May 27, 2016 at 2:24 pm

LOVE that you broke it down and pulled out all the valuable lessons from this movie. Now I have even more reason to want to take my girls to see this.

Rosey

May 28, 2016 at 5:44 am

I loved the first one so I think this one will be on my agenda. The Hatter is def. my fave, I’m glad they’re going to give more back history.

Liz Mays

May 28, 2016 at 8:26 am

I love the one about kids doing things differently. This is a great way to view this movie.

Elizabeth Brooks

May 28, 2016 at 8:53 am

I can’t wait to see this movie

Mama to 5 BLessings

May 28, 2016 at 8:20 pm

I keep seeing this movie advertised. Looks like another great Disney movie. i cannot wait to see it!

Tatanisha Worthey

May 29, 2016 at 11:15 am

We saw this movie, and I have some of the same thoughts as you wrote– definitely family stood out to me the most. Disney did another wonderful job. Another theme that stuck out to me is, Time and the past. Your past is your past, and no matter how much you want to go back and change it, you can’t.