The Divergent Series : Insurgent

  

THE DIVERGENT SERIES : INSURGENT

Director : Robert Schwentke

Year : 2015

Genre : Science Fiction

Rating : ***

 

MY REVIEW OF 'DIVERGENT' : http://dc-moviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/divergence.html#more

Continuing the cinematic adaptation of Veronica Roth's dystopian literary saga, 'Insurgent' takes place three days after the events of 2014s 'Divergent' and once again sees Tris (Shailene Woodley) still endeavoring to avoid the murderous wrath of Jeanine (Kate Winslet) who appears to have found the source of all the answers to their apocalyptic situation. With the help of the factionless led by Naomi Watts' Evelyn, Tris embarks on a death-defying quest to overrun and defeat the fascist council that threatens the lives of not only the divergent of Chicago but many, many other innocents. 

Stepping up the action and expanding the various characters, 'Insurgent' is a massive improvement over it's almost unwatchable original and while the story, characters or script cannot profess to match the level of the far superior 'Hunger Games' franchise which it is clearly leeching from, the film still has enough edge-of-your seat thrills and more than a few well executed action scenes to keep it's audience fully entertained. Woodley, as always, gives a well rounded and engaging performance and Kate Winslet is great fun as the villainous Jeanine while 'Whiplash's Miles Teller steals the show playing a wonderfully slimy and sneaky friend of Tris who may have ulterior motives.

Fans of Veronica Roths young adult novel are going to be completely satisfied with 'Insurgent' while newcomers and even dislikers of the franchise may be won over. It's not one of the better science fiction films I've seen recently but when compared to what came before it, 'Insurgent' is a surprisingly effective and well made picture and, despite my better judgement, I find myself eagerly awaiting the release of 'Allegiant - Part 1' in 2016.