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Divergent (2014)

thereviewers
May 4, 2015
2 min read

Divergent is set in a futuristic Chicago, where the society is divided into five factions based on personality type. On a given day each year, all sixteen year olds must take a test and choose which faction they are going to join. This choice is not an easy one for Beatrice (Tris) Prior whose personality simply does not fit into just one group - she is Divergent. As a Divergent Tris is seen as a threat to the seemingly perfect world and is forced to rely on her strength and courage to not only survive but to save the people she loves.

Overall Review Score

8.5 out of 10

Review

Divergent is a 134-minute sci-fi action thriller with a difference. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Veronica Roth and effortlessly blends dark undertones with the frailty of sixteen years old deciding their entire lives based on one test or preconceived notion of ‘faction before blood’. Both the main actors Shailene Woodley, who plays Tris Prior, and Theo James, who plays Four, feed off each other to create a mesmerising and equally awkward on-screen chemistry that somehow works. Similarly, the plot line, which is a modification of the typical good v evil post apocalyptic story, equally works and brings new life to the genre. Overall, Divergent offers more than just a love story. It provides the audience with rich, deep characters, a mixture of interesting special effects and five factions (Dauntless - the brave, Amity - the peaceful, Erudite - the intelligent, Abnegation - the selfless, Candor - the honest) that not only look / sound believable but who will also have the audience wondering where they belong. Veronica Roth, who wrote the source material, and Neil Burger, who directed, should be proud of their creation – it is clear from watching this film that the Divergent trilogy has the acumen to redefine this genre of film for years to come, if the other two films are produced, directed and acted in the same manner.

Reviewer 1's score & comments:

Score: 8 out of 10

Comments:

Based on the bestselling book series by Veronica Roth, Divergent is a truly wonderful film to watch, that had both The Reviewers wondering what their aptitude tests would be. Strong acting and a mostly true to book adaptation made this film worthy of praise.

Reviewer 2's score & comments:

Score: 9 out of 10

Comments:

Being a Reviewer makes watching films at times difficult, the same old clichés come up and characters / plotlines seem recycled from one film to the next. However, Divergent is different. It brings a new sense of life to the sci-fi thriller genre and grips the audience from the opening sequence. Yes, in-places, the film does steal some clichés from other films but, generally, it’s a good film that is unique and worth watching.