Alice Through The Looking Glass

Went to see Alice Through The Looking Glass during half term. I like going to the cinema, a comfy seat and a bag of M&M's, ready to be transported into make believe.

It has a strong cast list:

Alice: delightfully played by Mia Wasikowska
The Mad Hatter: Johnny Depp, yes I know he's a tad ostentatious, but it's the movies, he's a megastar, it's entertainment.
White Queen: Anne Hathaway
Time: brilliantly played by Sacha Baron Cohen
Red Queen: brilliantly played by Helena Bonham Carter
Tweedledee and Tweedledum: Matt Lucas

The story picks up three years after Alice made her second trip to Wonderland, during which time she has captained her father's trading ship to China – and made plans to explore the rest of the world. Upon returning home to London, Alice discovers that circumstances have changed with regard to both her employment and her mother Helen’s (Lindsay Duncan) living situation – putting Alice at risk of losing her ship and winding up stuck behind a desk, working as a clerk for the odious Hamish Ascot, the man whose proposal she turned down. However, before she can make any decision on the matter, Alice is contacted by the caterpillar-turned butterfly Absolem (the wonderful Alan Rickman) and follows him through an enchanted mirror that leads to Wonderland. 
After a happy reunion with her friends Alice finds Hatter is in a terrible state, haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his family. But with some help from the White Queen Alice journeys back in time to solve the riddle of what happened to them, and, in turn, save her friend. 
The special effects are impressive and the costumes are beautiful. 
Yes there are cliches, yes it's twee and predictable and critics slated it. Sometimes I think the critics are way too far into themselves. One even referred to "pro-feminist paean" and "oversaturated palette" - hello, it's entertainment, it's meant to be lighthearted fun. 
For me the litmus test of a good film is leaving the cinema with a feel good smile on my face saying "I really enjoyed that".