After Alice (2000)

Sorry, this movie sucks

I wanted to but couldn't!

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Working the night shift in a seedy police station, stumbling through life in an alcoholic haze, Detective Mickey Hayden can hardly be said to have a firm grasp on reality to begin with, but when a bump on the head unleashes terrifying psychic visions, things get truly weird. Soon he's on the trail of a serial killer and unraveling the mystery of his beautiful first victim, the elusive Alice.The role of an embittered burn-out seems tailor-made for Keifer Sutherland and he makes the most of it. The plot's typical serial killer stuff, but it has enough quirks, twists, and genuine surprises to raise it above the usual genre fare and even make up for a painfully low budget. (One wonders what this film could have been if there'd been money for a few more rewrites and a few more takes.)All in all, 'After Alice' is a pleasant diversion for anyone, but for fans of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice' books, it's a real treat. From the topsy-turvy reality in which things are rarely what they've seem, to more obvious references -- a killer called 'The Jabberwocky', who leaves playing cards on his victims' bodies -- there's an 'Alice' reference at every turn. Below is a list of the ones I uncovered. Since finding them yourself is half the fun, I've marked them as spoilers.SPOILERSCast of CharactersMickey - In a sense he's Alice himself wandering through strange landscapes, encountering odd characters, but Harvey, recognizing his true nature, identifies him as the hapless, bumbling White Knight. John Hatter (Mickey's boss) - Is he really 'mad'? You be the judgeClaudette - An African-American transvestite. Obviously, the Black QueenMargaret Ellison - Mickey calls her the Red Queen, but her brutal nature suggests, more specifically, the Queen of Hearts.Gideon Wood - Suspected of being the Jabberwocky killer, his ambiguous role is more suggestive of a snark (or a boojum perhaps).Harvey - His role as unofficial guide to 'wonderland' and his name, evocative of another famous cinematic rabbit, makes me think he must be the White RabbitDr. Vera Swann - Her last name and relationship with Mickey suggest the White Queen.Other ConnectionsMickey's adventures begin when he chases a man in white and falls down a (rabbit) hole. Mickey drunkenly tells his cat to stop grinning at him (Cheshire Cat)The killer is revealed 'through the looking glass'.The climatic showdown ends in a swirl of playing cards, just as Alice's adventure did in the book.The statues in the garden look like giant chess pieces.

I don't watch PSI factor or any other tv science fiction series because they are either too badly written or over the top and really gross you out. But I do enjoy "psychic" movies. Kiefer Sutherland's performance was top-notch. He actually raised the calibre of the material with his excellent delivery of occasionally awkward or mundane lines. His professionalism is admirable. He refused to give a bad performance. The other psychic, Harvey, was a hoot and equally well played.I agree with Len Butz that this is a subtle movie and I thank him for his insight re Alice In Wonderland. I liked this movie very much. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys watching fine performances, where an actor is given rough materials and actually improves the work by virtue of his own presence in the movie. He is doing an equally incredible job in his tv series 24, and certainly deserved his Golden Globe. If you don't go in expecting an Elm Street slasher, you will enjoy this movie.

Another brilliant portrayal by Kiefer Sutherland who plays Mickey Hayden, a cop dealing with psychic visions of murdered victims. I absolutely love movies dealing with the psychic realm, and I wasn't disappointed with "Eye of the Killer" (AKA After Alice). I only wish the movie had been released theatrical first.

Sutherland plays an alcoholic cop who, after a fall, develops psychic powers. His new found ability to develop psychic impressions from touching items of clothing, keys, etc, helps him track down a serial killer who has reemerged after a 10 year hiatus of not killing. Working with a doctor in para-psychology along with another psychic, he learns to accept his psychic powers and uses them to uncover a conspiracy protecting the killer. If you like TV shows like PSI Factor, you will probably like this movie. I found nothing very memorable in terms of acting, sound, or camera work, and there are certainly better serial killer movies ("Freeway" if you like Sutherland). * * 1/2 out of * * * * *