Directed by: Neil Burger
Casts: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet
Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction
Release Date: 20 March 2014
In a dystopian post-apocalyptic future Chicago, its citizen are segregated into factions: Erudite for the smart, Dauntless for the courageous, Amity for the kind, Candor for the honest and Abnegation for the selfless. The people are placed in a faction according to their individual virtue, so that there will be no arguments, no wars and only peace and prosperity. Or is it...?
The story revolves around Beatrice "Tris" Prior, who is a Divergent - someone that possesses more than one or two distinct characteristics and would not typically fit into any particular faction. As she discover who she really is deep inside, she is entangled in a conspiracy that threatens to annihilate peace and everyone that she cared for.
Now, this may sound unfair to some but I will be frank: I cannot look at this film without having The Hunger Games lingering in my mind for comparison. The premise, the setting: a future nearly destroyed by war, the threat of totalitarian governance, a heroine risen to challenge the status quo - it is all very Hunger Games-ish. I am not saying that the film (or the book, since it's an adaptation) attempts to copy the successful Hunger Games but there is definitely an attempt to surpass it.
And is it just me.... or is there some sort of Harry Potter thing going on too? The sorting of young citizens into 5 factions mirrors the sorting of young wizards in Hogwarts to the 4 houses. The freedom to choose which faction to go to regardless of test results and origin - the same freedom recognized by the Sorting Hat. The only difference is that in Divergent the scale covers the entire city and not just within an academy. Strange, huh?
Praises: Be it an attempt to be the next Hunger Games or not, this film is thrilling and entertaining in its own right. For fans of the Young Adult (YA) genre, this film will not disappoint. The notions of political play and its direct effect on society and economics is not as grim and menacing as the one presented in Hunger Games but it still gets the job done in casting a shadow of malevolence throughout.
The one thing that this film nailed best is in its casts - a well-rounded group of talented actors and actresses that brings life and soul into the otherwise semi-thin plot (more on that later). The lead casts - Shailene Woodley (Tris) and Theo James (Tobias "Four" Eaton) gave powerful performances that provide sufficient emotional depth to their respective stereotypical character. Their ability to carry the one-dimensional characters to such engaging level is impressive and given that it's James' first major motion picture on the big screen, extra kudos must be handed to him. Tris' transformation from a shy and insecure girl to one with a commanding presence is done beautifully, paced perfectly with no sudden surge of inexplicable maturity which I particularly condemn. The supporting casts did a good job overall as well and Kate Winslet is as stunning as ever, even as a twisted power-hungry tyrant. Her performance is ingenious and breathes of art such that I am sure Jack Dawson will approve from the grave beyond.
She is no Jennifer Lawrence/Katniss Everdeen, but she certainly hold her ground strong enough.
As mentioned, I for one am a fan of the film's pace throughout. It doesn't feel rushed nor dreadful; instead the story transitions smoothly along with its characters. As the story progresses the characters grow steadfastly, leading all the way to the climax and gave a satisfying wrap.There is enough thrill, suspense, drama and action along the way to keep me seated upright, leaving little room for my mind to wander elsewhere.
The visuals compliment the tone of the film quite well and I must say that the hallucination sequences are artistically done. There is a fashion to it, one that leaves quite a mark. However, do note that the degree of my praise for the visuals extend only to this. As for the soundtracks, a few are quite brazen but if it pulls the trick, why not?
Complains: No prejudice whatsoever but despite strong performances from the casts and a setting that promises so much more, the film falls short of the bar set by Hunger Games. The dark and oppressive nature of the story wasn't explored and utilised to the fullest; instead making way for a safer and more formulaic approach to the YA genre. I am quite disappointed by that, seeing as Hunger Games succeed due to its distinction from the norm.
When I watched The Hunger Games, the colour and spirit of the production entices me. Though both films take place in a world weary and recovering from war and destruction, Hunger Games pulled it off with such style and extravagance (who can forget the fashionable Capital?!) while maintaining the underlying malice of the government that controls it. Even after leaving the cinema I remember them vividly. Sadly, the same cannot be said about Divergent. There is a certain degree of bluntness in the visual (other than the hallucinations) that is hard to overlook and certainly hard to remember later on.
Like I said, there's much more that the setting offered but unfortunately the plot derives too little from it. The political drive of the film, though being the primary antagonistic element of the plot is too subtle, marred by predictable YA elements. Its' themes are not imposed with enough suggestive force - it is as though director Neil Burger is so wary of the boundaries he may cross and the parties he might upset. The casts are impressive but doesn't change the fact that certain dialogues are outright cheesy and loosened the gravity of the film's tones. Their characters are written in such one-dimensional fit that it would be painful to watch had not for the brilliant capabilities of the casts.
I watched both The Hunger Games and Divergent without prior reading of the book they are each adapted from, but unlike the former I can smell and predict how the ending of Divergent is gonna be from miles away. No doubt though, that fans of the usual YA genre will be knee deep in love with this film.
Rating: 7/10
Hit or Miss: Ultimately, the film is entertaining in its own right and I pretty much enjoyed it throughout. It didn't leave me cringing hard and wished I had watch something else, which is good; but it certainly did not impressed me as much as The Hunger Games did. Since its sequel, Insurgent, has already been green-lit by the studio with a different director, I am hoping for something that will take Tris and Four beyond the fence of usual YA elements that imprisons them. Hit.
