Year: 2018
Director: Ava DuVernay
Starring: Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, Zach Galifianakis, and Chris Pine
Tagline: Be a warrior
Synopsis: After Meg's scientist father goes missing, three mysterious beings guide her, her brother, and her friend on a journey across the universe to rescue him.
Tagline: Be a warrior
Synopsis: After Meg's scientist father goes missing, three mysterious beings guide her, her brother, and her friend on a journey across the universe to rescue him.
Review
I have read A Wrinkle in Time, but it was as an adult and it made very little impression on me. I remembered very little going into the film. Maybe if I'd remembered more of the book, more of the movie would have made sense. Or maybe I would just have been more disappointed.
During much of the movie, I wished I could wrinkle time and thus get to the ending faster. I tried to like it, but I was bored most of the run time. I could simply never get invested in the story or the characters. I kept waiting for something where I could say, "Well that was at least cool" ... but that never happened. Nor is the film so bad that I can now make fun of it and point out all its ridiculousness or plot holes. There are some things that don't make sense. Some moments feel pointless and drag on. Overall, it feels like the film version of "it's the thought that counts."
Mrs. Whatsit is -- I presume -- supposed to come across as socially inept and quirky. But mostly she comes across as unintentionally rude verging on obnoxious. Charles Wallace is a precocious child genius. But he too comes across more as annoying (granted, I vaguely recall having that same impression after reading the book). Meg and Calvin are nice but bland (and even a bit cliched). Mrs. Who has her quoting schtick ... until she doesn't (I have no idea if that is in the book or not). And Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey) ... well, she is truly larger than life in the film. But most of her dialog feels like it came from a book of motivational quotations.
As for the plot, it feels more like a paint/quest by numbers. The so-called "tests" of Camazotz aren't much of tests. Throughout the story, Meg is told a lot of encouraging things, but her growth and understanding feel scripted rather than earned.
The film has a few intense scenes that might be a bit much for younger kids. Michael Pena's character has red eyes, which is kinda creepy. Zach Galifianakis's character has a man-bun, which is kinda terrifying. That is all.
I wanted to enjoy A Wrinkle in Time, but I just couldn't. It is pretty to look at and it has a nice enough theme, but that is about all. Nothing went beyond the surface for me. All the film's good intentions fell flat. If you loved the book, go back and read the book. As for the movie, I'd say save your time and money for the upcoming blockbuster season.
*** Spoiler Section ***
One of the few things I do remember from the book is "Aunt Beast." But she, her kind, and her world are omitted from the film. Considering how long the movie already is at that point, it was probably for the best. Still, I remembered liking that part of the book, or at least finding it intriguing.
During much of the movie, I wished I could wrinkle time and thus get to the ending faster. I tried to like it, but I was bored most of the run time. I could simply never get invested in the story or the characters. I kept waiting for something where I could say, "Well that was at least cool" ... but that never happened. Nor is the film so bad that I can now make fun of it and point out all its ridiculousness or plot holes. There are some things that don't make sense. Some moments feel pointless and drag on. Overall, it feels like the film version of "it's the thought that counts."
Mrs. Whatsit is -- I presume -- supposed to come across as socially inept and quirky. But mostly she comes across as unintentionally rude verging on obnoxious. Charles Wallace is a precocious child genius. But he too comes across more as annoying (granted, I vaguely recall having that same impression after reading the book). Meg and Calvin are nice but bland (and even a bit cliched). Mrs. Who has her quoting schtick ... until she doesn't (I have no idea if that is in the book or not). And Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey) ... well, she is truly larger than life in the film. But most of her dialog feels like it came from a book of motivational quotations.
As for the plot, it feels more like a paint/quest by numbers. The so-called "tests" of Camazotz aren't much of tests. Throughout the story, Meg is told a lot of encouraging things, but her growth and understanding feel scripted rather than earned.
The film has a few intense scenes that might be a bit much for younger kids. Michael Pena's character has red eyes, which is kinda creepy. Zach Galifianakis's character has a man-bun, which is kinda terrifying. That is all.
I wanted to enjoy A Wrinkle in Time, but I just couldn't. It is pretty to look at and it has a nice enough theme, but that is about all. Nothing went beyond the surface for me. All the film's good intentions fell flat. If you loved the book, go back and read the book. As for the movie, I'd say save your time and money for the upcoming blockbuster season.
*** Spoiler Section ***
One of the few things I do remember from the book is "Aunt Beast." But she, her kind, and her world are omitted from the film. Considering how long the movie already is at that point, it was probably for the best. Still, I remembered liking that part of the book, or at least finding it intriguing.
Quotable Quotes
- "You sound like my mother." "Is your mother a baritone?" -- Meg and the Happy Medium
- "I really don't think we should have brought her along." "She can hear you." "Oh." -- Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Which
- "I give you the gift of your faults." "You know those are the bad traits, right?" "Are they?" -- Mrs. Whatsit and Meg
- "You look like a person." -- The Happy Medium to Mrs. Whatsit
- "The only thing that travels faster than light is darkness." -- Mrs. Which
ISFS
No comments:
Post a Comment