This isn't my kind of movie. I like SciFi, but not this kind. The movie is all about the actors. How the actors' outfits look, how the actors sound, the facial expressions (in particular,) building up the stars' image, etc. The script is thin on plot, and heavy on actor appeal. The dialogue is at a child level, most of the time. Some of the background scenes are nice -- that is positive. The suspense surrounding the disappearance worked. However, once the father appeared it was obvious that he became the one 'at fault' rather than the circumstances. I suppose that he should have said to his wife 'dear, may I go on a trip?', but that would have ruined one of only two positive elements in the plot: the suspense.

It was terrible. First movie I've seen this year that I wanted to walk out on, but didn't. I've seen 10 movies since January 1st.. This takes the cake for worst of the year.

Want to see a good sci fi movie? Go see Ready Player One

it was a sloppy, awkward mess. the dialogue and delivery were all wrong (i blame the director) and the pacing was spastic. they needed a different kid to play Charles Wallace. i gave it 4/10 for the few glimmers of cleverness from the novel that shined through, but even that may be generous.

As a lifetime fan of the book, I'm afraid to see it. I tried to keep an open mind, but that lasted for only a few minutes. I'm going to pass because I'm afraid I'll find what @BarkingBaphomet did. It always makes me a tad nauseous to see a beloved book ruined by a crappy movie adaptation.

It's a mess on every level.

@Jacinto Cupboard said:

It's a mess on every level.

I agree. It wasn’t a very good film at all. I’m unsure of why the director decided to pander to social politics and race relations rather than just making a true adaptation of that wonderful novel that explores so much more.

@april422 said:

I’m unsure of why the director decided to pander to social politics and race relations rather than just making a true adaptation of that wonderful novel that explores so much more.

Isn't that the way a lot of movies today tend to lean?

As far as bad, I think this was the worst movie I've seen this year. I was thinking Breaking In was the worst, but I forgot that I've seen this one!

I have watched the TV version. That’s enough for me. I’ll skip this latest version, as I didn’t like some of the changes I saw in trailer. This is a story that needed a visionary director, like the one who made Arrival and Blade Runner 2049.

@catmydogs said:

I have watched the TV version. That’s enough for me. I’ll skip this latest version, as I didn’t like some of the changes I saw in trailer. This is a story that needed a visionary director, like the one who made Arrival and Blade Runner 2049.

That might actually be a totally different movie; I might actually like it!

I just watched it. I didn't have a problem with most of the characters not being white. This is one of those stories where the race of the characters is largely irrelevant. However I did have a couple of problems. Why were Meg and Charles Wallace listed as adopted. Unless I am not remembering correctly, they are the natural children of the Murrays. They cast Mr. Murray as white (Chris PIne) and Mrs. Murray is dark skinned (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who is mixed race as I recall. The actors who play Meg and Charles Wallace could easily be the natural children of this couple.

Where was Aunt Beast? She is mentioned, but never shown.

While we got the classic scene of the normal families on Camazotz, it is never employed. And large parts of the themes of the book have been changed to somewhat simplistic "I love you" and "Be a Warrior." Love was a large part of the novel, but its treatment in the film seemed very simplistic to me.

SPOILERS:

Unless I missed it, we are never shown that the Mrs. are stars who deliberated went nova to push back the darkness. I found this a very important portion of the story. Mrs. Whatsis in the film makes a reference to being over a billion years old, but does not elaborate.

Sorry, I cant give you my review because Im not black or a woman. And this film is specifically made for them and being a white male means my voice shouldnt be heard....according to Brie Larson.