Movie Review: Divergent

Divergent

based on the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth
directed by Neil Burger;
screenplay by Evan Daugherty & Vanessa Taylor;
starring Shailene Woodley (Tris Prior) and Theo James (Four)

movie website | the book | IMDb

MOVIE SYNOPSIS: In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she’s Divergent and won’t fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it’s too late.

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I admit that, while I didn’t love Divergent, I thought that it was a pretty entertaining read. Buuuut when I watched the movie 2 and a half years after reading the novel, I found that I couldn’t remember anything! Both Dyan and I gave it 4 stars, I think.

I remember liking Tris and Four together (in the first book, at least), but thinking that the identity of Four was super predictable. I think Christina, Will and Al were my favorite characters in the novel, and I was highly anticipating seeing them in the movie.

Again, Dyan and I watched this one together, as well as a few of our friends. I’ll admit–I went into this movie expecting it to be amazing, since there’s a lot of potential for a really sophisticated plot like this one. Then again, I watched it being kind of blind, since I couldn’t remember a lot of the novel. This is also why I won’t be able to tell you guys how close the movie is to the book!

The prism.

Okay. I think this movie will confuse viewers who haven’t read the novel yet. I myself, having read the book, was still a bit confused in some scenes, due to the lack of explanation and narration.

I didn’t get a lot of good deets about the factions, the systems and everything. The aptitude tests and the Choosing Ceremony were both explained pretty quickly and the scenes with these were pretty simple as well, whereas I would’ve wanted to see more of both. The simulations (of the fear landscapes/fearscapes) were pretty well-done, though!

Tris and Four. (*pukes*)

As for the acting and casting, I think that the characters were portrayed well by the actors. Okay, maybe I was a little confused because Peter, Will and Al all kind of looked the same to me, lol! But Shailene did a really good job with Tris’ character, even if Tris (in this movie) wasn’t as badass as I’d thought her to be in the novel. She was a little softer here, I’d say.

Then there’s Theo James as Four. Dyan and another friend were continuously fangirling over the romance between Tris and Four (said friend wouldn’t stop saying how hot Theo is, while I disagree), and I sat there practically rolling my eyes out of their sockets. I really didn’t like the romance in this one. I felt that Four was too easy on everyone, whereas he was a bit more badass in the books, no? And their first kiss practically came out of nowhere! It was bothersome (for me, at least).

Christina & Tris jumping off a train.

Friendships were alright in this one. I liked the bond between Tris and Christina, but Will and Al were a bit out of place and they seemed insignificant most of the time.

Overall, the movie was a just bit less than average. I did like the acting. The ending was paced a bit too quickly compared to the okay pacing of everything else. I would’ve liked more interactions between Four and Tris before their rushed kiss. (I totally made a rhyme.) If you liked the book, though, I still think the movie’s worth watching!

Let’s discuss! Have you watched the movie? If you have, what did you think of it? If you haven’t, do you plan to and what are your expectations?