Divergent
Directed by Neil Burger
Rated PG-13
Released March 21, 2014
2 hours, 23 minutes

Collapsing bridges, decaying skyscrapers, rusting cargo ships, people hurling themselves off of trains and a several story high fence keeping it all in are what to expect from a dystopian city. Divergent, based on the first book of the best-selling series written by Veronica Roth, stars Beatrice Prior [Shailene Woodley] and Four [Theo James]. The story takes place in the futuristic city of Chicago, a land once destroyed by war; five factions have been created to keep the peace. Each faction represents a character trait: Erudite for intelligence, Abnegation for selfless, Dauntless for bravery, Candor for honesty, and Amity for peace. At the age of 16, teenagers take an aptitude test that tells them what faction they are best suited for; they must decide to either leave their faction or stay with their family. Beatrice’s inconclusive result means she is divergent: fit for more than one faction. Divergence is a threat to the government, meaning she could be in danger if anyone found out. On Choosing Day, Beatrice transfers to Dauntless and changes her name to Tris. Tris then goes through initiation with great difficulty. During a difficult initiation Tris falls in love with the hunky trainer, Four [Theo James]. Four’s enemy and Tris’ instructor, Eric [Jai Courtney] torments the initiates throughout the film, adding tension to the movie. Jeanine Matthews [Kate Winslet], is the power-obsessed leader of Erudite, who brings the action to Divergent. Tris’ parents Natalie [Ashley Judd] and Andrew [Tony Goldwyn] Prior, and Tris’ brother Caleb Prior [Ansel Elgort], add a heartwarming family aspect to the film. While the movie followed the book very well, a few major plot pieces were either left out or changed completely. Nonetheless, if someone had never read the book, they would think the movie was enchanting. The futuristic technologies displayed on screen, created a captivating movie. It was suspenseful and beautifully executed.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars