Given the pedigree for this adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s 1962 science-fiction fantasy novel, it’s hard not to be disappointed by the finished product. Despite the behind-the-scenes participation of director Ava DuVernay and an on-screen dream team of Hollywood royalty, the movie never seems to find an appropriate or consistent tone. There’s a noticeable disconnect between lead Storm Reid’s performance and that of her co-stars: Reid is severe and elusive, while the rest of the cast is loose and airy, which results in a number of tonal shifts that distract from the central narrative. The novel’s themes and plot are mostly rushed through while the special effects take center stage, which has the unfortunate tendency to remind one of 2016’s overstuffed “Alice Through the Looking Glass.”
Rating: ★★ (out of 5)
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