Grade: B-
In many ways, as marketed, Insurgent is much more expansive than its predecessor Divergent. The set design is more impressive, the stakes are higher, the scope and special effects are bigger.
It even boasts an allstar cast with newcomers Octavia Spencer, Naomi Watts and Daniel Dae Kim joining Kate Winslet, Ashley Judd, and Mekhi Phifer.
Up and coming actors Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort and Theo James reprise their roles as they pick up where they left off in Divergent.
Tobias a.k.a Four, and Tris and Caleb Prior are on the run from ruthless Erudite faction leader Jeanine (Kate Winslet) who orchestrated an attack on Abnegation, their home.
As is the tradition with most young adult book adaptations the sequel is handed off to a new director. While a lower budget but still enjoyable Divergent was given Neil Burger’s (Limitless) adept touch, Insurgent has Robert Schwentke all over it.
He is recently known for two big budget action films—Red (2010) and R.I.P.D. (2013).The first is a fantastic comedy that I would watch over The Expendables any day. The second is also a comedy but more notably it was a critical and financial disaster that actor Ryan Reynolds is still trying to dig himself out of, God bless him.
The sets for Amity and Factionless felt fully realized and were a tangible part of that world. Even Jeanine’s massive control room is something to behold.
This is where Jeanine runs a simulation in order to open up “The Box”. Sometimes you just hear the ghost of Brad Pitt’s character in Seven wailing “What’s in the box?!”
Although it was not present in the first film, it seems this mcguffin was added to give Jeanine a concrete a reason to hunt down Divergents or those who do not conform to the factional system.
“The Box” requires a boss level Divergent to unlock all segments of the faction simulations like some deviant Rubik’s cube . That boss level Divergent happens to be our protagonist Tris.
She selflessly braves these series of tests in an insane show of special effects and wire work that will have you swear Woodley was born to be an action star. All around, the action here is well choreographed and, dare I say, thrilling.
James, as well, handles himself skillfully. Outside of the stunts, he gets fleeting moments to exercise his acting abilities but most of his character development is shuffled out of the way in order to make room for Tris’ emotional baggage.
Her spectacular and touching performance this time around is heavy with the weight of the choices she made in the previous movie and her we see her struggle to forgive herself.
Miles Teller, who is fresh off of an Oscar nominated movie, once again dulls the serrated edge of his character Peter, adding some comedic relief.
While Peter is a person that lives by the every-man-for-himself philosophy, going where the power goes, Miles’ inherent charm just bars you from really hating the guy.
Speaking of hate, a number of critics can’t seem to stomach aussie actor Jai Courtney, often referring to him as a meathead.But if meathead is his bag, then he should play to his strengths.
Here he plays textbook henchman Eric. He is more or less her rabid dog, however his role does give him more to chew on than Mekhi Phifer gets as Dauntless leader Max.
Phifer does a great impression of someone who stopped caring a decade ago, although it is hard to tell if he is doing it intentionally.
Not to be outdone, a majority of the seasoned actors hardly get much to do but at least they do it well enough. Some of the noticeable changes to the source material appear to be the creative teams way of cleaning house in the wake of author Veronica Roth’s muddled and rushed series closer Allegiant.
The first two well paced acts are nearly enthralling but the slow wrap-up feels disjointed from the whole of the film. While this installment isn’t as fun as Divergent, its resolution is far less depressing but just as open ended.
Zhana Johnson
Senior Features Editor
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