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Parents' Guide to

A Wrinkle in Time (2004)

By Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

TV movie version of classic tale; some scares, bullying.

Movie NR 2004 138 minutes
A Wrinkle in Time (2004) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • A Wrinkle in Time Movie: Scene #1
  • A Wrinkle in Time Movie: Scene #2
  • A Wrinkle in Time Movie: Scene #3

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age 9+

Based on 10 parent reviews

AustenFriend
AustenFriend Adult
May 23, 2020
age 6+

Thought provoking adaptation

I had never heard of the 2003 version of A Wrinkle in Time until I saw the most recent version. I didn't dislike the new version but I watched the 2003 version last night and liked it better. It portrayed Meg Murray as being more like I imagined her to be and followed the book more. It was also much more thoughtful than the most recent version. The only flaw was that the authorities on Camazotz seemed more Nazi like and dressed more Nazi like than I recall the book describing them as being. Otherwise, I liked it a lot. The book in the series that I actually liked the most was A Wind in the Door followed by Many Waters - would be curious to know if there is a movie version of either of those?

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
Aadila W.
Aadila W. Parent
March 10, 2018
age 9+

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in time is adapted from Madeleine L'Engle's novel, Ava DuVernay’s film is a lovely and good-hearted movie that has very important messages of family, embracing individuality, being true to yourself and appreciating those who love you. This movie is not just for children as it applies to the importance of love, family and a bond between father and daughter. As a daughter if your father went missing would your love for him guide you to search for him? As a father, if you went missing would you wonder if your baby girl or any family would miss you and come look for you. I would urge any dad with a daughter or any daughter to go see the beautiful message in this Film. This is a beautiful family film..
1 person found this helpful.
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In A WRINKLE IN TIME, when astrophysicist Dr. Jack Murry (Chris Potter) disappears without a trace, his children, Meg (Katie Stuart) and Charles Wallace (David Dorfman), and neighbor Calvin O'Keefe (Gregory Smith) take it upon themselves to find him. Guided by Mrs. Whatsit (Alfre Woodard), Mrs. Who (Alison Elliott), and Mrs. Which (Kate Nelligan), the children embark on a cosmic quest before finally reaching the dark planet, Camazotz, where they encounter a society of human beings controlled by an evil force. They must use their collective and personal strengths to find Dr. Murry and save their own lives.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10 ):
Kids say (15 ):

This film adaptation might come as a disappointment to fans of the book as it rubs the wrong way in several crucial spots. A main issue is that it doesn't do an adequate job of portraying the evil of IT. Instead of being menacing, IT is a campy mass of snake-like tissue, never fully revealed. The Darkness is also never fully explained, and the resolution of the struggle is so quick that if you get up to fetch a tissue, you will miss it entirely. Sadly, the ending just doesn't move or satisfy, and the transformations of the characters, so powerful in the book, remain superficial in this version. Still, you have to admire the guts of whoever tries to squeeze this beloved children's book into two hours. It's gamely performed by the kids, but the adult roles are sadly cartoonish and two-dimensional despite the presence of the marvelous Kate Nelligan and Alfre Woodard.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what being different means and what it means to be true to yourself and those you love rather than be popular. How does Meg embrace her individuality in A Wrinkle in Time?

  • If you've read the book, how is this adaptation similar? How is it different? Do you think it does a good job of telling the story? Why or why not?

  • Over half a century since the book was released, A Wrinkle in Time remains popular. Why do you think it has stood the test of time?

Movie Details

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