Divergent, directed by Neil Burger, is based on the bestseller book series Divergent written by Veronica Roth. Divergent is just the first of the trilogy. It takes place in post-apocalyptic Chicago where they try to survive within the fenced city and their faction system. The faction system consists of five factions that are chosen or assigned based on a person's qualities: Abengation (selfless), Amity (peaceful), Candor (truthful), Erudite (intelligent), and Dauntless (brave). It follows Tris, originally Beatrice, played by Shailene Woodley, on her journey. When one reaches the age of 16 (a detail I needed from my brothers), they take a test to discover who they are and how they fit within the faction system. Tris, originally from Abnegation, takes the test and is told she is considered Divergent where she does not have one of these qualities, she has three. The test administer, fearing for Tris's life, records in the computer that her test revealed Abnegation and lets her out the back door. No matter what the test reveals, they are allowed to choose which faction they desire at the choosing ceremony. Tris chooses Dauntless because she's always favored how free they seemed. During initiation and training, she befriends Christina (Zoe Kravitz), Will (Ben Lloyd-Hughes), and Al (Christian Madsen). She also meets her trainer, Four (Theo James). He presents himself at first as a stoic learner who just likes fighting, especially since he was the top in combat during his initiation class. He slowly starts to take interest in Tris, helping her pass through each training stage, for if she fails, she is kicked out of the faction and becomes factionless. The lovers fight against the Erudites who wish to control society to get rid of human nature, so that the faction system is perfect.
Honestly, without reading the book, I could tell it didn't follow the book very well at all. It could also be that I was sitting between my brothers and they kept telling each other what was missing. However, my issues with it were there was no development of characters or relationships. As soon as Tris discovered Four was Divergent as well, they instantly fell for each other and just started making out. I mean you knew they had a thing for each other, but there wasn't much conversation between the two and instantly there was kissing and in the next scene they were already in love with each other! Or Christina and Will's relationship was subtly shown through actions rather than actually developing that relationship. According to my brothers, the movie did not do a good job of explaining many important parts to the story, like what the factions were, the testing process, and what being Divergent really means. You are not born Divergent, you become Divergent because you have an open mind and do not conform. And I guess there's a few characters missing as well. I also don't get the importance of the tattoos.
I also thought the casting was a bit off. I know there's been talk that Shailene Woodley was on the pathway to be the next Jennifer Lawrence. I don't see it. Granted, the only other thing I've seen her in was Secrets of an American Teenager, but I do not think she does action roles well. When Tris was training, I could not believe she could beat someone up. Her hits to the punching bag did not look like someone who was trained. Rather, they looked like a little girl fending off one of those blow-up clowns that when you hit it, it just bounces back. I would have rather had Jennifer Lawrence play Tris, but obviously she's already playing a heroine in a post-apocalyptic survival movie. My next choice would be Saoirse Ronan, who's movie portfolio is full of action movies. Also, according to my brothers, Tris is supposed to be a skinny, flat-chested, short to average height girl, rather than the curvy tall Shailene Woodley. Furthermore, Tris is supposed to be 16, and Four is supposed to be 18. Now movies cast their actors older so that they do not age too fast within the series, as seen through the Harry Potter series. However, Theo James is 28, a 7 year difference that is quite apparent in the movie. I just thought it seemed he was a little too old for the role.
I can't honestly say you should go see the movie, unless you just want to see the gorgeous Theo James take his shirt off, then I say go for it! LOL. Also, it might be too close to the release of Hunger Games, especially since the story of a heroine's survival in a post-apocalyptic world is similar. Although, I do like the theme of the movie of identity with conformity vs individuality. The testing process advocates finding who you truly are, yet society wants that identity to be within the parameters of the faction system rather than just finding your own individuality. This movie does, however, inspire me to read the book, especially with the themes of identity. I mean the book series must be a bestseller for a reason right? So maybe I'm advertising the book rather than the movie lol.
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