Saturday, March 22, 2014

Movie Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth


Divergent by Veronica Roth
Book/Movie One of the Divergent series
Movie Release Date: March 21, 2014
Alyssa's View Date: March 21, 2014
Rating: 4 stars

Movie Trailer:


What I Liked:

Two things before I start this review: one, this is my first movie review. I'm doing it because it's the first YA book-to-movie adaptation I've seen WHILE blogging. I feel obligated to review the movie, since I read the book (a long, long time ago). Which brings me to my second thing: I read Divergent when it first came out in 2011. I didn't start reviewing until the second half of 2012, and didn't start blogging until December 2012. So I never reviewed Divergent (the book), or even Insurgent. It feels weird that I'm reviewing the movie when I haven't even reviewed the first two books, but I promise you I've read them and loved them. I haven't read Allegiant though, but when I will, I plan on reviewing it.

So. What did I think of the movie?  For starters, I think it is an EXCELLENT movie. Separate it from the book for a second - say it was just a movie, NOT based on a book. It is a terrific movie! Well made, produced, directed, cast-ed, etc. I think the acting was great and the setting was very well created. As a movie, just a movie, it is definitely a good one. 

As a book-to-movie adaptation? I'd say that it is AWESOME. While I still love the book more (shoot, I will ALWAYS love any book more than its movie adaptation), I think the movie did the book justice (at least, as much as you can expect when you are dealing with book-to-movie adaptations). I usually HATE book-to-movie adaptations - Harry Potter was probably the only ones I've enjoyed. But this one? This was good.

The casting: I think the cast is really good. When they were casting last year, I remember being super excited about Shailene Woodley playing Tris, because she seemed like a good fit for her, in terms of both looks and personality. I stand by that original judgment - Shailene did a great job of representing Tris. One thing that we need to remember is that we READ Divergent in Tris's first person point-of-view, but we can't WATCH Divergent in her first person point-of-view. All things considered, I really liked Shailene as Tris.

Theo James. I can't say enough about Theo James. I wasn't excited about him being Four when they selected him, but I wasn't angry either. I didn't like that they aged Four's character by six years, and I thought Theo was a little old for Four. But Theo James did an AMAZING job as Four. He pulled off Four's quiet, badass, scary demeanor, as well as his calm and thoughtful side. I was shocked by how well Theo seemed to be Four. Heck, Theo BECAME Four. I'd argue and say that Theo was a better Four than Shailene was Tris. They both rocked it in this movie. 

The secondary characters were well-selected as well. Maggie Q as Tori was really cool. Honestly, I don't remember the character of Tori super well, but Maggie Q made things interesting. I LOVED Christina's actress (Zoe Kravitz). I've never seen her act before, but she pulled off Christina very nicely. Kate Winslet was a very creepy awesome Jeanine - thumbs up there. And guess what - I think our very own Veronica Roth was in the movie! Check out the zip line scene REALLY CLOSELY - you'll see her (but make sure you remember what she looks like first).

Some of the scenes in this movie were SO WELL DONE, and blew me away. The Choosing Ceremony, the Dauntless train rides, the jumping. The scene at dinner with Four being "so approachable". The knife-throwing scene. Tris and Four climbing the Ferris Wheel. Love love love.

Speaking of love, I can't go through this entire review and NOT mention the romance. One thing I loved about Divergent (the book) was that Four is so much more than a love interest. In fact, I'd say that he is a male protagonist first, and a love interest second. His role in the book is much more than Tris's crush (and then boyfriend). The romance in the first book is really subtle, simple, and sweet. The movie does a great job of conveying the romance. We get hints of budding affections throughout the movie, but I LOVE that the movie doesn't just throw it in our faces. Usually, with movies, the romance must be really commercialized and obvious and it's disgusting. But this movie sticks with the progression of the romance in the book. This way, we get to know Four as a person, and Tris as a person, and THEN the two of them as a couple.

For the most part, this movie sticks to the book's plot. I totally understand that a book's manuscript and a screenplay are veryyy different. However, all and any changes that the screenplay had and the movie featured didn't bother too much. Yes, this film wasn't exactly like the book (see below for key things that were changed). However, I liked the changes (for the most part), and I think the screenplay writers did a really good job of condensing the (very long) book into a screenplay without cutting the really important scenes, and even scenes that seem like a small deal but actually matter a lot.

I can't even get over how pleased I am with this movie. Not only was it a great movie, but it was a great book-to-movie adaptation. Usually I hate book-to-movie adaptations because they're so disappointing and never anywhere close to how good the books are, but this one surprised me. Heck, I might need to see it again!

What I Did Not Like:

Well, as with all book-to-movie adaptations, there were things that were changed. And the changes are justified... mostly. There were a few that stuck out to me, that I wasn't totally happy with. For example, do you remember in the book how there was a Visiting Day, and Tris got to see Natalie (her mother)? I thought that scene was really important, because it showed Natalie's connection to Dauntless, it showed Tris's father's refusal to see his daughter, and it gave us a peak of Four's affection for Tris. The movie DOES have a short scene with Natalie and Tris (in which Natalie's connection to Dauntless is hinted), but that scene is manufactured, and NOT in the book.We don't get to see how Tris's father's absence at the Visiting Day affects her - there is no Visiting Day in the movie.

The thing that bothered me the most was the "capture the flag" scene, with the Ferris Wheel. Do you all remember how Tris LET Christina get the flag, instead of pushing Christina out of the way and capturing it herself? Well, in the movie, Christina stays behind to guard Tris's back (she offers this assistance, and says something almost exactly like that in the movie). TRIS is the one that captures the flag. This is a HUGE change, in my opinion. No longer are we seeing that Tris is selfless in victory, that she let someone else take the credit for something she thought of herself. They wouldn't have won if Tris hadn't climbed the Ferris Wheel, and come up with a plan. 

Instead, we have all attention on Tris. I understand why the writers would change this scene like that. They want to show that Tris is a competitor, a strong Dauntless Initiate, and every much a threat as she is supposed to be (as a Divergent). But we lose the selflessness of that scene. 

The ending was also not completely correct (according to the book). I honestly don't remember Jeanine being in the ending like how she is. Again, I guess I understand why writers made the ending so different - they want the audience to have a clear villain to blame (because reading books and watching movies is very different with different audiences, so we wouldn't want our different audience to be confused!), but it made the ending a little strange, in my opinion. I won't say anything specific about the ending, so you'll have to see what I mean. 

Even though the last time I read it was in 2011, I re-read Divergent ten thousand times, and I think I know this book pretty well. Like I said in the previous sections, the changes were justified (for the most part), but they were still changes. I can't love them all!

Would I Recommend It:

YES! Most definitely! You would not be wasting your time. I recommend you read the book first (that's always something I will recommend), but like any book-to-movie adaptation, it's not necessary. It's an excellent movie, and it's a fabulous book-to-movie adaptation. 

Rating:

4 stars. I'm so glad I watched this movie! It was totally worth my time over spring break, and I really want to see it again (alas, I go back to school on Monday!). Even if you're a book purist like me, who rarely enjoys book-to-movie adaptations, you will most likely enjoy this one!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!



26 comments:

  1. I just started reading Divergent. That is an amazing review of the movie which I hope to see when it is released here in Melbourne next month.

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    1. Thank you so much, Marilyn! I hope you really enjoy the movie when it comes out.

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  2. Ok it's been a few years since I read Divergent so I didn't see any of the changes til you pointed them out.However I do think they stuck very close to the book.I'm going have to re-read it bc I don't see the problem with Jeanine being int the ending bc I thought she was but like I said it's been a while since I read it.Love the review you did an awesome job! ...And oh by the way I SO LOVED THE MOVIE!!! (I actually wasn't going to watch it bc of the way Allegiant ends,but my son saw previews and wanted to watch it and after I saw how awesome they were I decided I wanted to watch it) If the movies continue to be this good I may be able to make myself watch Allegiant eventhough I will be upset at the end.

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    1. I'm certainly glad that you liked the changes and didn't even notice some of them! I went in with a bit of a critical eye, so that's probably why I remember so many things.

      And I know what you mean about Allegiant - I haven't read it, but I've accidentally seen SO MANY SPOILERS, so I feel like I don't need to read it. But I will, when my heart is ready :o

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  3. Oh, I really liked this one myself. There were of course differences, but I wasn't super angry about it like I sometimes get with movie adaptations, haha.

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    1. I'm very happy that you did! And it's amazing how well they made this movie, because it really stuck to the book!

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  4. I HATE YOU. Just kidding. <3 But so damn jealous that you have gotten to watch it already. It isn't coming to my town until April 11th :\ But I cannot wait. <3 And omg. I'm so glad that you mostly loved it! And that it was a good movie, without the book. But also a good movie based on the book :D Agh. That just makes me happy. <3 (As a lot of movie based on books sucks :\) But anyway. I'm so glad about the romance part :) Amazing review sweetie. Thank you for sharing. <3

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    1. WAH :'( Hehe I'm sorry that Divergent doesn't premiere until then! But it's totally worth the wait. I'm really happy with the movie, and this is coming from the girl who hates most book-to-movie adaptations! I really hope you love the movie, Carina!

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  5. When the bf saw the trailer he had his doubts about the movie but it made him read the book. One of my friends also loves the series, so I need to check when does Divergent come out here, so I can go watch it with her!
    Thanks for this great review that makes me confident to go watch a book to movie I'll like!

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    1. Wooo, at least it got him to read the book! That's awesome. I hope you love the movie, Pili! You're so welcome, and thank YOU for the wonderful compliment! <3

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  6. haha I really liked the ending of movie with Jeanine… I think it was harding to see the war brewing at the end of the movie… as a reader you know what was happening… but i think a nonreader of divergent might have been confused a little. It was a really great movie! Theo James was awesome :D

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    1. That's why I think most of the changes were justified - because non-readers probably wouldn't have understood the movie as well as readers of the book. So they had to change things to make it easier for non-readers to understand and enjoy it.

      THEO JAMES FOR THE WIN!

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  7. I totally agree the capture the flag scene and the ending were the most disappointing because they were definitely reconstructed to create more of a dramatic and rewarding kind of moment for our characters, and at the same time if they'd let Christina have the flag then it probably would've been anticlimactic since character development translates poorly over the screen, so I definitely see the justification between why they altered the two scenes, although it would've been much cooler with the original plot.

    I agree, the plot and acting where absolutely PHENOMENAL, and I completely loved Tris and Theo's acting. Their chemistry is so great and they're so talented that I really think they nailed their characters and mannerisms spot on. The only problem I had was that I still can't SEE them as their characters. Like, when I see Shailene I think "Shailene" not "Tris" and same with Theo. I think it was because in Allegiant Four's kind of a lot more passive and less badass so the fact that Theo's all muscular and hot kind of got in the way of me connecting the two together.

    Fantastic review! Divergent was such a good movie, definitely one of the more successful ones, and I LOVE Theo James <33

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees that point, Eileen! I think we both understand the two sides, which is good, as a reader and a viewer.

      And I see what you mean about the characters being characters and actors being actors. I think that for me, the book was so fair placed in my mind, that I could somehow subconsciously separate the book from the movie. Like, I really enjoyed the book AND the movie, and I could appreciate both, but the image of Tris and Four that I had in my head from the book will always be the one that I will hold in my head and heart. So I understand what you're saying.

      Thank you so much, Eileen! ^_^

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  8. Okay I can't read this review because i haven't seen it yet but I'm SO glad it's a 4-star review. At least it didn't disappoint completely. I'm DYING to see it ASAP. I'm actually in NY right now...for the first time! Maybe I'll see an Epic Reads girl while I'm here. LOL. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie!! It's always a hit or miss.

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    1. LOL well thank you for commenting anyway! I appreciate it. I really hope you see the movie soon and LOVE it! And OMG you are in New York, that is so awesome! You should definitely go stalk some publishing headquarters ;)

      This movie was a hit, in my humble opinion! Thank you for commenting, Rachel!

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  9. Harry Potter movies are absolutely, most definitely, my favorite book to movie adaptations, and the changes still made me a little nauseous. But I think that is something that you just have to come to terms with with book to movies..... It isn't easy to get there, though. Anyway, back to the point, I was incredibly hesitant to watch this movie. I just was. But Now, I am seriously looking forward to it. Yours is the second review that I have read that really enjoyed the movie. I think I am going to see it this weekend. I think I must!

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    1. Aww, I'm sorry to hear that! But yes, I think you're right - there has to be some acceptance, when a book no longer becomes a book.

      I'm so glad that we book bloggers are slowly changing your mind! I'm happy that I had a hand in that :D Take it from the girl that HATES book-to-movie adaptations. This one was fabulous! I hope you love it, Jaime ^_^

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  10. I'm glad you liked the movie! I haven't read any of the Divergent books, but, unlike with the Hunger Games, I wouldn't mind seeing the movie when it's on Redbox or something. Nice review! :)

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    1. First, READ THEM :D But even if you don't, the movie is a fantastic movie. I hope you watch/love it, Kel!

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  11. Thanks for the review! Was hesitant about the casting choices but the movie still looks amazing and like it had a big budget. Plus, it is filmed in Chicago where I'm from. I'm excited to see it soon!

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    1. Erika, I know what you mean - honestly, I couldn't picture the actors as Tris, Four, Caleb, Christina, Al, etc. BUT, all of the actors did a really great job. I think the big budget definitely helped - hopefully it pays off! And YES, the original setting of the book, too! I hope you love it, Erika :)

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    2. Thanks! You are giving me hope! I think just as a Secret Life of the American Teenager watcher (I know, but it sucked me in), I was worried mainly about Shailene Woodley as Tris. I'm excited to see it though. You are right about big budgets helping with the quality of the movie like Catching Fire compared to Hunger Games.

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    3. I actually think Shailene did a pretty good job of representing Tris. At first, I was like, there is something missing. But Shailene really made Tris seem remote, distant... "Stiff". This was really well done. I'm glad to see that the movie is doing so well! Hopefully Insurgent (and Allegiant) have great movies as well. Hope you love this movie, Erika! Let me know how it goes for you.

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  12. I really liked the movie and ended up in a huge debate with my husband about it. He thought it was stupid. Looks like I'll have to find someone else to go watch the second movie with!

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    1. LOL, debates are the best. He hasn't read the books, probably. I'm sorry that he can't appreciate the awesomeness that is Divergent! But you should definitely find a super fan like yourself :D

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