"Everything is not what it seems."
The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Symbolizes the imbalance of Alex's fractured personality and the precarious state of the world during the climax.
The final battle takes place here, emphasizing that the 'straight and narrow' path isn't always the one to victory; sometimes you have to work with the tilt.
Magical Beads
Represent the dehumanization of mortals and the reduction of complex lives into manageable, collectible objects.
Dominic and Evil Alex use a machine to trap the Russo family and the world's population inside these tiny spheres.
The Mirror
A classic symbol of introspection and self-reflection.
Alex casts the spell into a mirror, literally seeing her 'bad' side step out of her reflection to become an independent entity.
Philosophical Questions
Can a person be virtuous if they have no capacity for vice?
The film suggests that 'Good Alex' is ineffective and even weak without the cunning and drive that characterized her 'bad' side. True virtue requires having the capacity for selfishness but choosing to be selfless instead.
Is identity a fixed essence or a collection of parts?
By separating the traits, the film asks if 'Alex' exists in the traits themselves or in the vessel that holds them. The conclusion favors the idea that identity is an integrated whole that cannot be divided without losing the 'soul'.
Core Meaning
The core meaning of the film is that true maturity is the integration of one's entire self, including flaws and darker impulses. By attempting to cast away her 'selfish' and 'irresponsible' parts, Alex Russo realizes that she has also cast away the very traits that give her the strength to protect those she loves.
The director uses the literal separation of the protagonist to argue that 'goodness' is not the absence of 'badness,' but the choice to use one's complex nature for the right reasons. The film serves as a rite of passage for Alex, moving her from a character seeking external validation to one who accepts her internal contradictions.