The second of four planned Divergent series dystopian adventures (Allegiant will be split into two parts) suffers from the same issues as the first one, and simply isn’t very compelling. A post-apocalyptic society is divided into five factions, each of which contributes to the survival of the whole. But there is a “factionless” segment of people, of which the main character Tris (Shailene Woodley) becomes a key member, who fight for the destruction of the factions because of inner corruption.
Robert Schwentke’s film boasts a solid supporting cast (Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Ashley Judd, Tony Goldwyn, Theo James, Zoe Kravitz, Octavia Spencer, etc.) and top-notch production values which make my old stomping grounds of Chicago look appropriately desolate. Yet this isn’t enough to make this story either realistic or thrilling.
Maybe the books are better, but the whole idea of splitting the society into factions just doesn’t work for me; it’s stupid. When the magic box is opened and the voice from the past tells everyone that “divergents” should be cherished because they combine all of the traits and skills needed to prosper, I said to myself, “Duh!” Now the story indicates that people are alive outside the barriers of the city, and that the future is out there. Fine, great. But what are these foolish people who only know how to do certain things going to survive out in the wild? When the magic box message is broadcast they all just drop what they are doing and start streaming toward the barrier like they’re going to get Christmas presents. It’s ridiculous.
Hopefully this series will actually have something significant to say in the final two installments because the first two certainly have not. I’ll admit that these stories are visually interesting, and that the filmmakers are trying really hard, but I just don’t see why they are bothering (other than to make money, of course). This series is tremendously disappointing thematically, especially considering the talent and effort involved. ☆ 1/2. 6 April 2015.
P.S. I’ve just looked at my three-star review for Divergent and am surprised at how strongly I feel the series has floundered. I had issues with the faction system then, but it seems that Insurgent has caused me to give up on the idea completely. These films are trying so hard to be convincing, but it just seems like a bunch of nonsense to me now. Thank goodness that science-fiction is usually much better than this.