The parts of 'A Wrinkle in Time' that you're not too old for

Overheard at a screening of "A Wrinkle in Time", adapted from the classic science fiction novel by Madeleine L'Engle: "I wish they talked about the tesseract more."

A young child said this as the lights went back on and the credits rolled. As with all transitions from book to film, not everything made it to the big screen and fans of the source material — like that kid — might feel rather disappointed.

Nonetheless, the movie has its own charms. The young, reluctant female lead replaces the usual archetype of a "gifted, chosen one" in a quest about bravery or some such thing. This could be a movie that inspires a new generation of scientists, the way "Star Trek: The Original Series" and other great works of science fiction have done.

Director Ava DuVernay along with screenwriters Jennifer Lee and Jeff Stockwell clearly had a young audience in mind, which may leave adults watching "A Wrinkle In Time" feeling a little left out...or sleepy during the CGI-heavy scenes that occur in between stretches of dialogue that move the plot along.

However, keep your eyes open. There are enjoyable bits for the not-so-young in this movie. Here are a few:

1. Body-positive giant Oprah. There are people alive who don't know who Oprah is and how to spell her name. The movie is a reminder of how big she was and is, because she's literally huge and very bedazzled. She also sends a shout out to big girls out there: There is no wrong size!

Photos: IMDb.com

2. The mission is to save Chris Pine. Who doesn't want to find Chris Pine and bring him home? 

3. Flying lettuce. Some might contest this and say it's petchay and they could be right, because there is no wrong in a world where children are riding a leaf with what looks like an artichoke for a head across an alien planet. This is the movie to see if you've ever wondered what that looks like.

4. Wow, anxiety looks annoying from the outside. Generalized and Severe Anxiety Disorder can be crippling and for most of the film, our girl Meg suffers from some form of it. If you don't sympathize with her, her persistent reluctance and constant trepidation might put you off. And it's hinted strongly that Meg thinks very poorly of herself, too.

She hesitates at every turn and you just want her to snap out of it and realize she's on a freakin' alien planet and she should get with the program — but that's not how it works. Snapping out of it is not always an option for some. You're never too old for this reminder.

5. The enemy is like nerves or some brain impulse thing, no? It's risky, but betting on the fact that this is a metaphor for mental health issues might yield some good results.

We're treated to a film where the hero doesn't stand up to a monster after finding her strength. She instead acknowledges her flaws and breaks free from the darkness by appreciating the love she has been given. Her world — which is the whole world — is rid of this black blob. This is totally a metaphor, right?

6. However, sh*tty you think you are, people who love you will love you. Consciously or unconsciously pushing people away because you don't think you deserve love is a classic move that you can rely on...but at one point, you're going to have to learn how to be loved even when you don't feel like you earned it. Stop being so mean to yourself. It leads you to be mean to others. Know that you are loved.

Take it from the late, great Stephen Hawking who is a man of science and stars: "If you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away."

7. If all else fails there's Deric McCabe. Every time you start zoning out, this 5-year-old Fil-Am child actor will snap you out of it. He'll keep you interested in this film. — LA, GMA News