Movie Review: The Divergent Series: Insurgent

The Divergent Series: Insurgent

Release Date: March 19th 2015

Director: Robert Schwentke

Writers: Brian Duffield and Akiva Goldsman (screenplay, Veronica Roth (novel)

Producers: Doug Wick, Lucy Fisher, Pouya Shahbazian

Main Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Ashley Judd, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, Maggie Q, Tony Goldwyn, Ansel Elgort, Mekhi Phifer

Genres: Action-Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense violence and action throughout, some sensuality, thematic elements and brief language

Studio: Lionsgate

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The Divergent Series: Insurgent raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite. Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Haunted by her past choices but desperate to protect the ones she loves, Tris, with Four at her side, faces one impossible challenge after another as they unlock the truth about the past and ultimately the future of their world.

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The Divergent Series : Insurgent is the second in a series of dystopian science fiction films based on the book Insurgent. The book is written by Veronica Roth. The film brings back Shailene Woodley and Theo James as Divergents, Tris and Four, struggling to find their roles in a crumbling faction system and a crumbling Chicago. The film is set just days after the first film in the series, Divergent, ends.

Fans should know that I am a movie watcher, not a book reader. While I have a lot of respect for books and I pick one up now and again, I spend most of my spare time in lines for advance movie screenings. I saw this film on Monday, March 16 in IMAX 3D. I mention this because I don't want to offend all of the fans of the book series. Here, I am only writing about the movie.

First, I would say that if you have the ability to attend this film in IMAX 3D, I very much recommend that you do it. I was blown away by the visual artistry towards the end of the film, during the "sim trials." I don't suggest paying the IMAX 3D often, but this one is totally worth it.

I found the film entertaining. I think fans of the books will love it. Since I had not read Divergent, I didn't know much about the factions other than the ones that were showcased in the first film. The first film dealt with Abnegation, Dauntless and Erudite. This film takes the audience to the factions we didn't see before : Amity, Candor and Factionless. The audience will get to see Amity in all of its harvest glory. They get to travel to Factionless and meet several of rebels. They get to take refuge in Candor, if they are willing to be honest.

The film was not all a great. Some of the dialogue sounds silly, and I am not sure that Shailene Woodley is the best in the role of Tris, especially because Insurgent has very heavy themes and she comes across as whiny. And I was lost during some of the time at Factionless. This section deals heavily with Four's back story, and, again, I haven't read the back story.

Do not leave your chair for the second half of the film. The truth serum scene is moving. The sim trials scenes are phenomenal. Also, Miles Teller, in the role of Peter, delivers some great awkward humor which is peppered through out. It's awkward because you aren't expecting to laugh, but it works well.

Most of the movie is a fun time. They can't all be ground-breaking pieces of cinematic art. And that is a good thing. Sometimes a fun popcorn flick is what's in order. This movie is just that. But don't take my word for it, you can see the film for yourself starting on March 20.

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