In the year 2050, a pilot (Ryan Reynolds) steals a ship, jumps through time to 2022, meets his younger self and tries to save the future by altering the past. And there are strong themes of grief. And it’s a love story. And it’s also funny. And there’s Mark Ruffalo.

There is an awful lot going on in Shawn Levy’s homage laden sci-fi actioner The Adam Project, and for the most part, it all works. Much of that is down to Reynolds himself as old Adam. Through his wisecracking, and beautifully written relationship with young Adam – an impressive début from Walker Scobell who has Reynolds’ mannerisms down perfectly – he generates enough goodwill that you largely overlook the convoluted plot and occasionally overworked sentiment. Which is a good thing, as in trying to explain how time travel works the writers disappear down a wormhole of their own making.

It makes no sense. But that’s not why you’re here. The Adam Project is a hugely entertaining, family-driven adventure that handles the serious topic of grief with a deftness of touch missing in more ‘serious’ cinematic fare. And it does so while referencing everything from Star Wars to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, from E. T. to Back to the Future. It’s Spielberg’s highlights, the greatest hits from your childhood if you’re of a certain age. And if you’re not, it is a film to introduce your kids to all those classics.

In short, if you can’t get on board with The Adam Project there is something missing in your soul. Perhaps time travel could help?

The Adam Project is available on Netflix now.