"A Wrinkle in Time" by Ava DuVernay (2018)

Because I just finished book "How Reading Changed My Life" where Anna Quindlen lovingly mentioned "A Wrinkle in Time" as one of her favourite childhood books, when I stumbled upon this movie I took it as synchronicity and a sign from universe. It didn't bother me that this was obviously a Disney children movie, since I am not familiar with the book anyway.

What did bother me - immensely - was the way Ava DuVernay presented the story, combining patronising sermonising with irritating moralising so ubiquitous in American movies currently, creating curiously bland and bloated, sprawling mess out of what seems to have been beloved classic book. Lacking really strong script (because characters are constantly saddled with life-affirming messages and quotes about finding true peace & happiness) movie is visual overload of special effects that stunning as they are, can't replace its inner emptiness. Mind you, even these special effects are derived from "Avatar" and Stanley Kubrick but kids would not know this - more problematic is that movie like this (full of preaching) is not entertaining enough, like a medicine that is supposed to be good for you but it tastes awful. 

Inclusion of three angels who lead the kids into adventure is laughable: they are all without exception smothered in cluttered costumes and the biggest joke is vanity turn by Oprah Winfrey who just couldn't resist a movie role where she gives advices to kids - "You must be a warrior", "Follow your star" and "Eat your vegetables"  (in fact, her first message is something like "Is there such thing as the wrong size?"). No doubt everybody thought they are creating something very commendable and spiritually uplifting but it would have been much better if they restrained themselves and just went for good old entertainment instead - imagine what Steven Spielberg would have done, back in the day when he was still doing "E.T" and "Indiana Jones". There is understandable uproar from audiences raised on this book and it looks like a perfect example of how not to mess with literary classic.