Divergent Movie Review

Description: 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.

Director:  Neil Burger

Stars: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet

Information from IMDB.

 

 

 

 

 

   Julie’s Review     

It has been a few years since I read the book, and I on purpose did not want to re-read it before seeing the movie. I wanted to allow the movie to stand on it’s own as much as possible. I went to see it with my husband and while he did ask me a few questions about it, he really did enjoy it and thought it was a good movie. So if you didn’t read the book, you will likely enjoy the movie quite a bit. 

What about me? Well, I didn’t enjoy it as much as he did. Hence the 3 stars – good, but not great. That is my verdict. The action scenes were fun, the setting looked awesome, and I enjoyed the visual representation of The Pit, as well as Four’s tat! But I had some complaints, too.

What I had some issues with is that Four and Tris are one of my favorite bookish couples, and I just didn’t *feel* it in the movie. Their relationship wasn’t believable to me in the movie. The actors were “stiff” (uea I had to use the nickname). While Shailene Woodley did a good job with the emotional scenes where she had to cry, she just didn’t deliver the passion that was expected. As for Theo James, well he was definitely nice to look at, but he was so robotic.

The scenes I was looking forward to the most were the Ferris wheel scene, and the fear landscapes. The capture the flag game was pretty cool, but I was waiting for their moment as they climbed up the wheel, and there really wasn’t that much of a moment. I remember how much I enjoyed reading that scene though. The fear landscapes were done really well in my opinion. I’m not quite sure how I pictured them, but I enjoyed watching them represented. I liked the way each faction was presented, and seeing the colors of their clothing really tied it all together.

So overall, yes it was a good movie, and it is worth seeing, but obviously the book is much, much better.  

   Rose’s Review  

 

I just got back from watching Divergent for the second time and honestly, I liked this movie even more this time around. Was the movie exactly like the book? But book to movie adaptations rarely are. Were things changed in the movie? Yes. Did it matter? I am going to venture to say, not really. I really liked the casting. I was pleasantly surprised with the actors. When Shailene Woodley was announced to play Tris, I had my doubts. However, the chemistry between her and Theo James was spot on. I do not believe they could have picked a better actor to play Four. He was tough, drop dead gorgeous, serious, brooding, and just slightly vulnerable enough to pull off Four’s complex role.

Some highlights in the movie for me is when Tris watches dauntless jumping from the train at the very beginning of the movie. The camera angle, the music, it stole my breath. I experienced heart pounding inspiration in another scene depicting Tris chasing after the train, refusing to give up despite the trials and hardships of training. Lastly, I swooned. When Four grabs Tris, helping her on the train, not because she needed him to, but he wanted to. This movie easily became one of my favorites. Tris is tough, with a strong spirit and even stronger will to overcome. I like that she is able to be a true hero. She fights back, she appeals to the feminist in me in that never once does she expect or rely on a man to save her, not her father, not her brother, not Four. She relies on herself. And just a side note without giving too much away, Tris’ mom is a badass!

So should you see the movie? Yes. Here are my top four five reason why you should see Divergent:

1. Shailene Woodley makes an amazing Tris

2. Four

3. If you have read the book, then you’ve got to see Tris in the zip line scene. C’mon, you know you want to!

4. Four (Did you really think reason #4 would be anything else? I mean, please, Ladies, he takes his shirt off!)

5. It will make you want to read the book all over again.

Yes, that’s right. I want to re-read the book. Actually, I want to re-read the entire trilogy. I think the movie version of these books might just change people’s minds about the little issue everyone has Book 3, Allegiant.  No spoilers from me, in case you have been living this past winter with your head under a rock, but I think the movie did a good job at displaying some of the reasons why Tris thought the way she thought. Ok, I had best shut up now before I give anything away.

Bottom line: Go see Divergent!!!!

 

 

What did you think of the movie? Sound off in the comments.  

 

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