By Renee’ Collins
Rating: 3.5 (Out of 5 Reels)
Although I thought this film was similar to others recently seen I still decided to have a look because of the trailer. 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 all those who are Divergent, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes them dangerous before it’s too late (IMDB).
Everyone is born into one of five factions; 1) The Dauntless, the protectors, 2) The Abnegation, practice selflessness, 3) The Candor, who value honesty, 4) The Amity, live in peace with one another, and 5) The Erudite, pursue knowledge. The only problem is if you don’t fit into one of these categories you are considered divergent and must be eliminated because it will shift the balance of nature.
This film has a look and feel that matches the content perfectly. I also found Shailene Woodley as Tris and Theo James as Four to be well cast in their perspective main character roles. Tris is a young girl who like everyone else her age must take a test to determine which faction she has a proclivity for but may also choose which one she wants to be a part of for the remainder of her life. She evolves outwardly and inwardly as she goes through this process and Woodley does a great job exhibiting that change.
What I didn’t expect was that this plot-line is written for a younger audience and that it is based on a trilogy of books of which the subsequent two books are already in production. I have heard several comments referring its likeness to the Hunger Games trilogy but I don’t agree because the circumstances of plot are disparate and don’t warrant the comparison in my opinion. On a whole this film is worth a look and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre.