For at least 40 years, I’ve loved Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and it’s sequels.

I’ve read the series countless times, appreciating the message and the magic. Knowing the movie was coming this year, I pulled out my old dogeared copies to read once more.  I was reminded how much these stories have influenced my imagination, morality, and faith.

So I could hardly wait to see Ava DuVernay’s interpretation on the big screen.

It’s a kids movie. I’ts a Disney kids movie.  The target audience is 10-14 year olds. In some scenes, the acting feels stilted in the way of conversations I purposefully have so my son will overhear – praising his bravery or hard work.

And I loved it!

The feel of it, the magical look of it, the message of it:

There are two basic elements – Love, and non-love, also known as Fear. L’Engle names Fear the It.

Fear tries to control us first through conformity (balls bounced in perfect rhythm; the posse of mean girls)

For those who resist conformity, Fear plays on our deepest insecurities.

By loving ourselves – faults and all – and sharing our love with others, Love wins.