Director: Neil Burger
Writer: Evan Daugherty, Vanessa Taylor (Screenplay) Veronica Roth (Novel)
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ashley Judd, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoe Kravitz, Maggie Q, Kate Winslet, Ansel Elgort
Plot: Set in a futuristic dystopia where society is divided into five factions that each represent a different virtue, teenagers have to decide if they want to stay in their faction or switch to another – for the rest of their lives. Tris Prior makes a choice that surprises everyone. Then Tris and her fellow faction-members have to live through a highly competitive initiation process to live out the choice they have made. They must undergo extreme physical and intense psychological tests, that transform them all. But Tris has a secret that she is Divergent, which means she doesn’t fit into any one group. If anyone knew, it would mean a certain death. As she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, this secret might help her save the people she loves… or it might destroy her.
What one would you pick?
Verdict: Creating A Bigger Picture
Story: I think it would be fair to say this is a builder film, this whole film is about Tris trying to discover about her difference in a world that won’t accept people being different. We have over half the film being training and nothing else. We do see the basic creation of friendship and even the start of a love story that will feature more in the later chapters of the franchise. We have the standard one group wants control over all the groups going against the peace, but we focus more on our heroine learning about a destiny she will only achieve by the end of the series of books/films. At over two hours long it could be considered a little bit long for the basics being told, but I can’t judge that until I see how the next chapter unfolds. (8/10)
Actor Review
Shailene Woodley: Tris a teenager who completes her tests only to find out she is Divergent meaning that she is not welcome in the world anymore. When it comes to joining a faction she surprises everyone by going into the defence faction Dautless and upon joining this faction she has to overcome all the training she goes through working up from the bottom to prove herself. Her Divergent has to be kept secret but when Four figures out what she is a romance starts to unfold but with a bigger picture unfolding about a takeover she must team up and stop it before it is too late. Great performance from Shailene, who could easily match Jennifer for teenage leader. (9/10)
Theo James: Four a trainer in the Dautless who tries to help Tris fit in more as he has always know what she really is. He is also a son of the leader of another faction, but we only get glimpses of that story. He also ends up starting a love story with Tris and with them both being Divergent they must fight for survival. Good performance from Theo taking a leading role with ease. (8/10)
Ashley Judd: Natalie Tris mother who always seems to appear when she is needed to pass on the next message on her quest. Good supporting performance filling in a few blanks in the story. (7/10)
Jai Courtney: Eric head trainer in the Dautless whose new stricter methods lead to people falling at the way side if they don’t meet his and the groups standards. Good performance from Jai who shines as the villainous trainer. (8/10)
Zoe Kravitz: Christina Tris’ friend on the Dautless who keeps up with the rest but with Tris sticking up for her she gets into as much trouble because she is the weaker friend. Good supporting performance offering a good friendship for Tris. (7/10)
Kate Winslet: Jeanine the Divergent hunter who has been looking for as many as she can to help her faction take over, while keeping a good public image for herself and her faction. Good performance in what is a villain role. (8/10)
Director Review: Neil Burger – Good direction to create the next teenager rebel to rise up and change a world. (8/10)
Action: Basic action mostly training before the final battle. (7/10)
Romance: We only see the beginning of the romance side to the story but I expect this to be higher in the future films. (6/10)
Sci-Fi: Good look at an alternate future. (8/10)
Settings: Each setting shows the difference in class and how the world has changed because of a war. (9/10)
Suggestion: I would say try this, I do think I might change this if the follow ups turn out good because this is a good build to a bigger and better story. (Try It)
Best Part: Fear tests
Worst Part: Little bit long.
Action Scene Of The Film: War games.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Part of a Franchise
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $275 million
Budget: $85 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 23 Minutes
Tagline: What makes you different, makes you dangerous.
Overall: Great Building Block to Bigger Story
Rating 
