Mr. and Mrs. Murry (Chris Pine and Gugu M’batha-Raw) were both scientists incomparable, but when their outlandish ideas lead to risky experiments, the brilliant scientist father of young Meg Murry (Storm Reid) goes missing, and the Murry family is left in ruins, criticized and mocked by the outside world.

Four years later, with still no sign of Mr. Murry, the broken family is visited by the eccentric Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), who knows more than she ought about the Murrys. When Mrs. Whatsit lets slip a mention of a “tesseract,” something precious to Mr. and Mrs. Murry, Meg begins to discover the hidden story behind her father’s disappearance and news on his current whereabouts—somewhere lost in the universe. With the help of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), three angelic-like helpers with supernatural abilities, Meg Murry, her little brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) and her new friend Calvin (Levi Miller) soon embark on an adventure to save her father from the looming darkness known simply as the “IT.”

Under the tutelage of the visionary director Ava DuVernay, Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved science fiction work, A Wrinkle in Time, finally comes to life on the big screen in a dazzling spectacle sure to wow audiences worldwide. As an adventure for kids, the film is complete with memorable characters, out-of-this-world scenery, and a message which finds its roots deep in the family-friendly themes of light, goodness, and the unbreakable power of love.

It should be noted that Dove is aware of A Wrinkle in Time‘s controversial history. Though Madeleine L’Engle’s cards were on the table as a Christian author (trust me, you’ll see it coming through in this movie), she was also known to be an advocate of universalist theology, and her books—though tightly knit together with biblical themes—sparked significant debate and were even banned in many Christian bookstores because of her more liberal slant, despite her overt Christian themes.

It’s also important to note that if you are aware of such controversies and are debating whether or not you want your kids involved, I can assure you that the larger and more significant themes of love and light are far more permeating. I suppose L’Engle’s controversial theology could be found if you blur your eyes while watching, but for your kids, it will most likely go unnoticed. But even if such things do emerge in conversation, let it be a good time for family discussion. God is symbolized as “the universe” in the film, and Jesus isn’t explicitly mentioned, but it’s a movie they’ll love, almost certainly, and should serve our families well in conversations not only controversial, but primarily robust and fruitful. Dove grants this movie a firm Seal of Approval for All Ages. Though certain scenes contain frightening images (villains with red eyes, dark and threatening evil personified in cosmic clouds) as well as themes of young love and bullying (some parents may feel wary about these things), the primary message of A Wrinkle in Time is one of light overcoming darkness, good defeating evil, and sacrificial love conquering all.