At times I'm at odds with my scoring system; I like to lean towards how much I enjoy a film, because after all, this dog-and-pony-show relies on subjective views and I don't want to come off as a self-proclaimed alpha and omega of film criticism. My problem today comes from talking about a movie that I know is bad, is riddled with plot holes, questionable design choices, and bland characters...but I love dearly. The Divergent Series: Insurgent is my favorite movie of the year...for all the wrong reasons.
For newcomers to the series, a post-apocalyptic Chicago sees the government dividing the population into factions based on personality traits: Erudite (intelligence), Dauntless (bravery), Candor (honesty), Amity (peace), Abnegation (selflessness). Those who don't fit into one faction are "divergent," shunned as pariahs.
Insurgent sees Shailene Woodley return as divergent-turned-Dauntless Tris Prior, now a fugitive after stopping the Erudite faction, led by Jeanine (Kate Winslet), from using a mind-control serum to subvert the Dauntless faction into her personal army and overthrow Abnegation from power. The damage has been done, however; Jeanine has orchestrated her government takeover, and now hunts Tris and the rest of the rebels, including Tris's unfortunately-named-boyfriend Four (Theo James), her brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort), and smarmy Peter (Miles Teller). (Am I the only one who does a double-take seeing three of Woodley's on-screen boyfriends: James from Divergent, Elgort from The Fault In Our Stars, and Teller from The Spectacular Now, in the same movie?)
Tris, overwhelmed by the deaths of her parents and friend Will, whom she killed in self-defense in the last film, blames herself for everything, sinking into depression, considering herself "deadly" to everyone she cares for. Throughout the movie, Tris battles with her grief and guilt, growing self-deprecating and hostile. Woodley's performance is diverse and raw, exemplified best in a confessional courtroom scene. I called her an "ugly crier" in my Fault In Our Stars review, and the honesty is no less brutal here.
Insurgent's supporting cast isn't unlike other young adult adaptations: skillful, but underutilized, their few appearances as gloriously goofy as possible. Naomi Watts plays Four's mother, leader of the divergent, and despite living in the concrete foundation of a bombed building, her hair looks absolutely flawless. It fits well with the "mom reliving her 90's glory days" wardrobe. Kate Winslet's Jeanine, while icy, looks too confused for someone supposed to be the smartest in the room. But if there's anyone to bring me joy, it's Jai Courtney who, while playing henchman Eric, looks like he's auditioning for his Terminator Genisys role, with his robotic gait and Bateman-esque grin. In another movie, he'd be intimidating, but here? Not so much.
The movie suffers from its inability to get its advocacy for self-love across and build a convincing sci-fi story around it. It seems like the script is made up as the film's rolling, stringing together a multitude of ideas with long stretches of dialogue, pointless action, and the almighty McGuffin. Despite the heavy padding, the movie moves at a surprisingly brisk pace, to the point where I didn't feel the strain, as "Divergent" irritatingly did.
With director Robert Schwentke (RED, The Time Traveler's Wife) at the helm, Insurgent carries a more defined personality, with a bit more irreverence than Neil Burger's gray-on-gray Divergent. However, this story needs focus and less cooks in the kitchen (2 for Divergent, 3 for this film), to where we can get an ideas for what pieces should be highlighted. Perhaps the series can take the Gone Girl route and let Veronica Roth adapt her own novel.
As is, Insurgent is an easy watch, best suited for friends who don't mind cracking a few jokes at a film's expense. There's a good cast and director here, but the story can get so convoluted, it just brings giggles to my face. It's silly and runs on autopilot, but it's managed to find a soft spot in my heart. If you're a fan of the series, you're already going to see it; if not, turn your brain off and bring a hefty bag of popcorn.
Thank you all for reading; I'm the Man Without A Plan, signing off.
With director Robert Schwentke (RED, The Time Traveler's Wife) at the helm, Insurgent carries a more defined personality, with a bit more irreverence than Neil Burger's gray-on-gray Divergent. However, this story needs focus and less cooks in the kitchen (2 for Divergent, 3 for this film), to where we can get an ideas for what pieces should be highlighted. Perhaps the series can take the Gone Girl route and let Veronica Roth adapt her own novel.
As is, Insurgent is an easy watch, best suited for friends who don't mind cracking a few jokes at a film's expense. There's a good cast and director here, but the story can get so convoluted, it just brings giggles to my face. It's silly and runs on autopilot, but it's managed to find a soft spot in my heart. If you're a fan of the series, you're already going to see it; if not, turn your brain off and bring a hefty bag of popcorn.
Thank you all for reading; I'm the Man Without A Plan, signing off.
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