Insurgent is the latest in the “Divergent Series” with this being the 2nd installment which are adapted from the Young Adult novels of the same name. First off the bat you hear how the post-apocalyptic city of Chicago is ruled by Jeanine (Kate Winslet) who was leader of Erudite in the prior film Divergent. This sequel takes places days after the events of the first film with Tris (Shailene Woodley), Caleb (Ansel Elgort), Peter (Miles Teller), and Four (Theo James) on the run hiding in Amity while they devise a plan to take down the demented new ruler. For someone that didn’t really watch the film the premise is pretty simple and explained in the 2nd film.
There are five factions Dauntless (brave), Erudite (intelligent), Amity (peaceful), Candor (honest), and Abnegation (selfless) which are grouped by an Aptitude Test sixteen years olds must take and then devote their life to that faction. Each of these factions have serums to keep their members under control and known used for other reasons. There is also group called Factionless which is composed of members that don’t belong anywhere and Amity which don’t see to be a part of the “Faction Five” anymore. And let’s not forget the Divergents which fit into too many groups.
Pacing and visuals for Insurgent weren’t bad but the action doesn’t really pick up until the later part of the film when we have Jeanine trying to do anything to get a “box” open that holds a key to the secret of the Divergents. From what I was told there actually isn’t a box in the novels and this was used to help streamline the story and add some scenes and actions you may not of gotten otherwise. But it was things about Insurgent that just made me go “what the hell?” whether it was ranging from deaths, fight scenes or decisions by the main character Tris. There was also such a nice supporting cast ranging from Octavia Spencer( Johanna who is leader of Amity) which placed a nice role in the film to others like Zoe Kravitz, Ray Stevenson, and others that kind of just placed in the foreground.
Dolby Atmos
With me seeing other movies such as The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies, Godzilla, and Guardians of the Galaxy in Dolby Atmos / Dolby 3D I didn’t seem to experience the same enjoyment with Insurgent. There is nothing wow factor with the visuals of Insurgent but some key scenes in the end and the sound effects didn’t really do much to enhance the film in my opinion.
Verdict
I tried to give it a chance and see if I’d enjoy the film but it just didn’t do it for me. Storyline was OKAY, but reminded me of so many other Young Adult novels and the visuals didn’t wow me as I expected them too. Mind you the movie gets better towards the end but that to me is still saying a lot. Fans of the novels and first film may enjoy it but even some I came across were so-so about it as well.
Insurgent is in theaters now in Dolby Atmos and other theater formats.
