Divergent - Review

Movie Review

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Title                        : Divergent

Genre                      : Science fiction, action

Original Story          : Veronica Roth

Written by               : Evan Daugherty, Vanessa Taylor

Directed by             : Neil Burger

Release Dates         : March 18, 2014 (Los Angeles Premiere)

March 21, 2014 (United States)

Divergent is an American Sci-fi action movie based on Veronica Roth’s novel of the same name. It was released on March 18, 2014 in Los Angeles and March 21, 2014 in the United States. The movie tells a story about a girl who tries to fit herself in a futuristic dystopian Chicago.

The futuristic dystopian Chicago is divided into five factions. Those factions are Abnegation (the selfless), Erudite (the intellectual), Dauntless (the brave), Candor (the honest), and Amity (the peaceful). The ruling council of the society is ruled by people from Abnegation faction.

The main character, Beatrice Prior or later called Tris (played by Shailene Woodley) was born to an Abnegation family. Beatrice always wonders why she feels different than other Abnegation members. She feels like she doesn’t have the natures like any other members of Abnegation. She envy her brother, Caleb Prior (played by Ansel Elgort) because he is naturally kind.

One day, Beatrice has to take a psychological aptitude test to see in which faction she will be most suited in, just like any other members of the society who have to take the test when they have reached the age of sixteen. The test result shows that Beatrice have equal attributes for Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite. Because she has equal attributes for multiple factions, Beatrice is a Divergent. Divergents are feared by the government because they can think independently and can’t be controlled by the government, thus making them as a threat for the social order.

Beatrice’s proctor, Tori Wu (played by Maggie Q), tells her that she should hide the fact of being a Divergent. Tori asks Beatrice to go home and never tell anyone about the result of her test, even to her parents.

On the Choosing Ceremony, Beatrice chooses the Dauntless, while her brother chooses Erudite. After the ceremony, Beatrice’s fearlessness is tested as a Dauntless. She is the one who voluntarily jumps into a deep hole from a tall building. After falling from the tall building, Beatrice falls on to of a net. She is welcomed by Eric Coulter (played by Jai Courtney), the leader of Dauntless. Then, Four (played by Theo James), a transfer initiates’ instructor, asks Beatrice about her name, then she decides that from now on her name will be Tris.

At first, Tris has to struggle to fit herself in Dauntless. Her rank is below the red line. Slowly, she can improve herself with the help from Four. In the end, Tris can show her capability of being a Dauntless.

Later, Tris still have to go through the next phase of training. She has to take a psychological simulation to face her fears. During the simulation, Four found out that there is something different with Tris. Her divergence shows up during the simulation, making her pass the test unusually fast.

Four tells Tris to hide her abilities. He help her to go through the simulation like a normal Dauntless will do. Together, they have to hide and protect the fact that Tris is a Divergent. Even if it means that they have to face the government as their enemies.

In my opinion, is great movie with a very interesting plot. The faction system kind of reminds me to the movie The Hunger Games, yet the story is still quite different. The story is like a complete set of action, romance, and science fiction blending into one. I like how the main character is portrayed, a brave girl who can’t be tamed by rules. Her curiosity makes her stronger during the progress of the story.

From watching this movie, I can get a message that being different doesn’t mean that you have to feel weird compared to others. Your difference can mean a strength for you. It doesn’t mean that since you’re different, you have to be scared of what other people say. If you believe that you’re right, then you have to strife for what you believe to be right. Even in the worst situation, giving up is out of question.

Overall, Divergent is worth to be watched. I recommend this movie to those who like sci-fi movie with some actions and a little romance in it. I hope everyone who read my review will find this movie interesting just like I do.