Our Thoughts On Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time!

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Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time is not the first film adaptation to happen for the classic novel, but it is sure to be the one best remembered. Academy Award nominated director Ava DuVernay (Selma) directs a film filled with stunning visuals which get perfectly paired with a score from the uncanny Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones) and stars a cast mixed with both unknowns and the biggest names in entertainment.

For those of you like me who are unfamiliar with the story, A Wrinkle in Time is based off of the book by the same name which follows three children on an adventure through time and space. The heroine is Meg Murray, daughter of two scientists researching and creating theories on interstellar travel. Meg is a young teen who is both very intelligent and resourceful, while being at the same time very awkward and low in self-confidence. The disappearance of her father at an early age had a rough impact on her and has also affected how others see and treat her. The cool kids mock her, her teachers distrust her and she has no real friends other than her brother Charles Wallace.

Charles Wallace is regarded by all as a child prodigy with unlimited potential. Rounding out the trio of kids is Calvin, the most popular boy in Meg’s school who is one of the few people that respects Meg and shows her kindness. They are visited by 3 beings of immense power and knowledge who go by the names Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatsit. The beings inform Meg and Charles Wallace that their father is still alive and that the children can actually rescue him. As this is an adventure meant for children, they naturally go along and travel to different worlds in search of the missing father while growing their bond of friendship together as well as Meg strengthening her own character.

In this cast we have Storm Reid (12 Years a Slave, A Happening of Monumental Proportions) as Meg, the start and heroine of the story. Academy Award Winner Reece Witherspoon (Walk the Line) plays the being Mrs. Whatsit. Mindy Kaling (The Office, The Mindy Project) is Mrs. Who. The incomparable and internationally famous Oprah Winfrey is Mrs. Which. Mr. Murray, Meg’s father and missing scientist, is played by Chris Pine (Star Trek Beyond, Wonder Woman). Mrs. Murray, Meg’s mother naturally, is played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Cloverfield Paradox, Black Mirror). The character of Calvin is played by Levi Miller (Pan). And also appearing are Zach Galifinakis (The Hangover, Baskets) and Michael Pena (Antman, 12 Strong). But the real star is Deric McCabe who in his first major feature length film steals the entire movie as Charles Wallace.

McCabe was less than 10 years old when this was being filmed so he is able to convey with ease that great energy and outspokenness that only someone that age can muster, but also display a sense of high intellect and sophistication through his dialogue. It is both astonishing and charming that in a cast of A-list actors, it’s the youngest cast member, who also has the shortest list of credits, who is the real treat of the film.

Film is medium in which sounds and visuals come together to create a perfect ambience for the story being told. For A Wrinkle in Time, those visuals are courtesy of cinematographer Tobias A. Schliessler (the 2018 Live Action Beauty and the Beast), production designer Naomi Shohan (American Beauty), and visual effects supervisor Richard McBride (Gravity, The Revenant). The sound is from Grammy and Emmy Award nominee Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones, Westworld) who is massively skilled at crafting scores that range from haunting and ominous to powerful and triumphant. And the sum of these ingredients is cooked together by Ava DuVernay to create some of the most highly stylized and satisfying scenes seen thus far this year on the silver screen.

In summation though, this film is about representation. Seeing minorities (this is a very ethnically diverse cast) and minors (meaning children) on the screen charging ahead into adventure and being portrayed as complex heroes is sure to create a positive impact on its intended audience.

A WRINKLE IN TIME opens in theatres everywhere on March 9th! Get your tickets now!

You can find more about the film on their website here: http://movies.disney.com/a-wrinkle-in-time

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