Divergent
Director: Neil Burger
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jai Courtney, Ashley Judd, Tony Goldwyn, and Kate Winslet.
Rated PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements, and some sensuality.
Divergent is the latest attempt to rake in the dollars as a result of the growing popularity of YA novels and successful film adaptations like The Hunger Games and its sequel, Catching Fire. The novel, written by Veronica Roth, is similar to The Hunger Games in that it features a young heroine fighting against an unjust dystopian society, but different in the details that make up said society. For the most part, The Hunger Games films have been an enormous success based upon both rave reviews from critics and audiences alike that have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in box office revenue. So, does Divergent live up to the standard set by its sister series? Everyone will have their own answer, but in my opinion, it pales in comparison.
Disclaimer: I have not read the novels so I cannot comment on the faithfulness of this film adaptation. The story revolves around Tris. She lives with her brother and their parents in a futuristic Chicago where everyone is divided into different factions based on their personalities and strengths. At the proper age, you receive a test that indicates which faction you should join, but ultimately you can choose whichever faction you wish. There is a rare situation in which the test results are inconclusive which labels the individual as "divergent". This is exactly what happens to Tris (Shailene Woodley). She must keep the fact that she is divergent a secret, because the powers that be (represented by Kate Winslet) have decided that divergents threaten to bring down their whole system and must be eliminated. Tris ends up choosing the faction known for its brave and courageous members, Dauntless. During her training, Tris must decide who she can trust and if she is up to the task of fitting in with the rest of Dauntless.
The film has its bright spots, Shailene Woodley being one of them, but it fails to really capture the audience. The biggest problem with the film is that it felt like a two-hour training movie that only gets exciting in the final scenes. There is little conflict outside of Tris' training until the end, and there is almost no emotional drama. I have no problem with a film being over two hours IF that running time is being utilized in the benefit of the film. Catching Fire was 150 minutes long, but left you wanting more. Divergent is ten minutes shorter, but feels twenty minutes longer. Imagine watching The Hunger Games or Catching Fire with two hours of training for the games in the capital with only twenty minutes of actual conflict.
I can see the potential for the series in the sequels, but as a first installment, Divergent is a bit of a yawner. Too little tension or conflict, and almost no emotional weight behind the film. The stars are not given much to do, but have the potential to shine. I really hope that the inevitable sequel delivers what this film should have.
RATING: B-
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