Divergent (2014) Movie Review
Title: Divergent
Genre: Action/Adventure Sci-fi, Post-Apocalyptic
Rating: PG-13; Contains some sensuality, intense violence and action
Run Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Release Date: March 21, 2014
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Directed by: Neil Burger
Screenplay by: Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor
Based on the novel by: Veronica Roth
Synopsis:
Divergent is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy by a faction leader (Kate Winslet) to destroy all Divergents, Tris must learn to trust in the mysterious Four (Theo James) and together they must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it's too late.
Cast:
Shailene Woodley - Beatrice "Tris" Prior
Theo James - Tobias "Four" Eaton
Kate Winslet - Jeanine Matthews
Ansel Elgort - Caleb Prior
Ray Stevenson - Marcus Eaton
Jai Courteney - Eric
Maggie Q - Tori
Miles Teller - Peter
Zoe Kravitz - Cristina
Christian Madsen - Al
Ben Lloyd-Hughes - Will
Amy Newbold - Molly
Mekhi Phifer - Max
Ashley Judd - Natalie Prior (Tris' mother)
Tony Goldwyn - Andrew Prior (Tris' father)
Review:
Well, it doesn't look like the trend for film adaptations of young adult novels is slowing down, but hopefully, it picks up. With a few already that did not perform well in the box office, Divergent may be the one to turn it around. It may not be blockbuster hits like the Twilight Saga or The Hunger Games, but it still may change the current slump of young adult novels turn movie.
Although I didn't read the book yet, my daughter and I watched Divergent on the last day of its opening weekend. Yes, I know, it's been a while since watching it that I am now writing a review. For the most part, I needed to watch it without reading and/or hearing what others thought of the movie. Being a film adaptation from a popular young adult novel, I am fully aware that there will be mixed reviews/thoughts, especially coming from the fans of the books. With that said, it had an intriguing and compelling storyline. The cast and setting was believable and convincing. Factions were differentiated by color, style of clothing and their train of thought which further enhanced the complexities of each faction in this post-apocalyptic society. The way they created this world was amazing with the post war wreckage outside the wall and the society inside. As for the action, I was definitely at the "edge of my seat."
However, I felt that it fell short on, I guess, background or history of what the story is about. The film focused on Tris' story of her coming of age in a society divided into factions. The suspense did add an element of intrigue with the revealing of a conspiracy, which was compelling enough. I would have liked to see more telling of the different factions. Of course, a brief description is better than none. Granted that there is only so much that a film can put on screen given that it's a film adaptation from a novel. Moreover, Divergent is the first book in a trilogy, this first film seems to serve as a beginning for this franchise. In the end, My daughter and I enjoyed the compelling and intriguing story of Divergent.
With all that being said, the second book, Insurgent, has already got the greenlight to go into production, with a slated release in 2015, then the final book, Allegiant, with a slated release in 2016.
My rating:
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