Film: A Wrinkle In Time
Starring: Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling,
Chris pIne, Zack Galfianakis
Director: Ava DuVernay
Review: Anthony Holden
Rating: 3X's out of 5x's
Well, it is what you think it is. Inspiring, imaginative, silly, heartwarming, Disney. “A Wrinkle in Time,” based on the classic novel by Madeleine L’Engle, follows young Meg Murry (Storm Reid, breakout role) who sets off to find her missing astrophysicist father (Chris Pine) on a distant planet. Along with her is her younger brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe, not bad) and Charles’ older friend Calvin (Levi Miller), who is an obvious love interest of Meg’s. Once they arrive, they enlist the help of three astral travelers - The ever-inspiring Mrs. Which (Oprah, doing her Oprah-like best), the transformative Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon, comedic effect) and the Ever-quoting Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling - looks like she’s uncomfortably smiling half the time).
We also get a visit from an exasperated and sightly annoyed Zack Galifianakis as the “Happy Medium.” As the film progresses, we learn that in order to find her father, Meg must destroy this evil force called (wait for it)...the It (voiced by David Oyelowo, not memorable). Sigh...look, all in all, from a directing perspective, Ava Duvernay (Selma) does her damn-well best to sell this film for the well-meaning tale it is. The cinematography in this film (especially with the scenes on the distant planet) is utterly gorgeous and the musical numbers aren’t to be sneezed at either (we’re even introduced to a new song by Sade!). Take it as an Avatar - from a technical standpoint, it’s gorgeous to look at; story-wise, it could be forgotten. It’s truly the look of the film and its morals that elevate its charm and leave moviegoers wondering as to what Duvernay will do next.