Divergent is a 2014 sci-fi/romance/action type film directed by Neil Burger who directed Limitless and The Illusionist as well as a few others. The best way I can describe this film is a cross between Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. It's like Harry Potter in the sense that everyone gets sorted into groups("factions" in this case) based on their personalities coming with their own colors and all. It's like The Hunger Games in the sense of government control and trying to control any rebels. All this being said, Divergent holds its own and separates itself from the films I just mentioned. It's a pretty unique story, that is compelling from the get go. The story is what keeps this movie going, seeing how the main character Tris, played by Shailene Woodley, transitions from her born faction, finding out she's a divergent(someone who doesn'e belong to any faction) and into the dauntless faction which are considered the protectors and police force.
Negative: The only real issue I had with this film is the acting. It's not bad by any means but I think it could've been better. Woodley plays her character pretty well but something about her doesn't sell me on her being a badass. The first third of the movie when she's reserved and not fitting in, she's perfect in it, the rest of the movie she does well except for when she's kicking ass, something about her I can't see actually kicking ass. In this respect, I think she was mildly miscast, that being said, she still did a great job. If I were the casting director I would've switched roles for Miles Teller and Theo James, James definitely looked the part of the mentor/love interest to Tris but his acting chops were just under par when it came to the real heavy moments. Teller is, in my mind, a bit of a better actor, plus him and Woodley have acted alongside before in The Spectacular Now so they already have chemistry. Outside of those few things, the acting is pretty good and no other real complaints.
Positive: As previously stated, the story; it's highly interesting and the movie actually makes you want to read the books to see what the movie may have missed in terms of background story. The characters are pretty interesting too, they're nothing you haven't seen before but they are good characters and with the backdrop of the story, the characters excel. Oddly enough I have less to say about the positives of the movie, it's hard to explain, it's an enjoyable movie.
Overall: It's an enjoyable movie with a story that'll keep you thinking for a while. It also gets you pretty hyped for the sequel and subsequent finale that is of course being split into two films, as if you needed any more references to Harry Potter. If you have the chance, check this movie out, it's way better than I had expected. I expected a lovey dovey Twilight-esque film with a weak Hunger Games rip-off backdrop and I couldn't have been more wrong. I regret not seeing this in theaters or giving it a chance earlier.
Rating: 4/5
