‘Insurgent’ uses a tighter storyline and a dynamic, young cast to keep ‘Divergent’ trilogy going.
‘Divergent’ sequel is a bit better sell
Talk about bad timing. When the first film in “The Divergent Series” hit theaters in 2014, critics and even some audiences were growing tired of young adult dystopian novel adaptations that feature feisty female protagonists.
But now the YA-based film deluge has receded a bit, and that might be part of why “Insurgent,” the second outing in the series based on Veronica Roth’s best-selling trilogy, seems better than its predecessor.
Even though whiffs of “The Hunger Games” linger, with “Insurgent” the series — starring Shailene Woodley — is coming into its own. A slimmed-down running time and a dynamo cast made up of today’s brightest young actors paired up with accomplished adult actresses enrich the franchise. The head-tripping visuals help, too, reminding us of the world-building construction and deconstruction Christopher Nolan’s exceptional “Inception” dreamed up.
Does that mean director Robert Schwentke and screenwriters Brian Duffield, Akiva Goldsman and Mark Bomback borrow cups of inspiration from other sources? Of course they do, as do many in the genre.
But when you have Woodley flying the plane
and Theo James as her unbelievably handsome yet conflicted wingman, Four, who cares? OK, dystopian fatigue sets in every now and then, but this is a worthwhile, confident entry in the YA genre.
That said, be forewarned: Should you wander into “Insurgent” having not seen the first film or read the books, good luck: You’ll be completely lost.
“Insurgent” picks up right after 2014’s “Divergent,” with Tris (Woodley) on the lam and plagued by nightmares after the death of her parents and her friend. Tris is a thorn in the side of the severe, cunning and powerful Jeanine (Kate Winslet at her chilly best), who took it on the chin at the end of the first film.
Played appealingly and believably by Woodley, Tris won’t be hemmed in by a society that demands each teenager get plunked into a particular group after a series of tests. The future Roth has created is cruel, bleak and finds order is best maintained in a walled-in Chicago by lumping people into five distinct groups. Abnegation embraces altruism, Amity is made up of what resembles peace-loving hippies, Candor speaks honestly, Dauntless takes pride in being athletic and tough, and Erudite is made up of intellectuals.
In the first film, Tris landed in Dauntless, but soon reveals she is Divergent — someone who has all traits and is thus seen as dangerous. She ends up hanging out with the Factionless, those who, like her, have no official place in society and are shunned.
That’s a lot of back story to wade through and, at times, the expository world-building weighs heavy here, too. But in “Insurgent,” twists and developments bulk up the story and help further define the characters.
Tris and Four, along with Tris’ Erudite-labeled brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort) and the cagey Peter (Miles Teller), are hiding out in a meadow in a communelike setting with the Amity group. The gracious leader here is Johanna, played by Academy Awardwinning actress Octavia Spencer, who is wasted here. I imagine her role was bigger in the book.
Cut to evil Jeanine, who now has a magical box that, when unlocked, will reveal a powerful message. The problem is that it requires the skills of a Divergent to get to that message. Tris, of course, is the mighty one, and soon Jeanine wants to get her polished nails into her.
Tris and Four dodge muscular bad guys and wind up hanging with the Factionless, where they meet Evelyn (Naomi Watts), a revolutionary. The exchanges between Theo and Evelyn are well done and give both actors a chance to shine.
In fact, all the actors are top-notch, and at least two have worked closely with Woodley before. Elgort, who was Woodley’s romantic co-star in the lovely “The Fault in Our Stars,” handles one of the toughest roles well. Teller, who co-starred with her in the indie gem “The Spectacular Now,” is perfectly cast as the shady Peter.
The production values are high, with surreal visual effects that serve to enhance the story. The 3-D, though, is unnecessary, so save your money.
All these positive factors point to a promising future for this familiar but slightly different series. But the studio’s decision to divide the final book into two films is risky. Just ask Katniss, who after two terrific films went way off target with the last year’s talk-heavy “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1.”