[critical] DIVERGENT

It is commonly accepted that when one door closes, another opens necessarily. We might consider that the principle applies to franchises. Therefore, DIVERGENT, by Neil Burger (THE LUCKY ONES, LIMITLESS), the umpteenth adaptation of a series of books, would be ” the new HUNGER GAMES “, in the same way that HUNGER GAMES was supposed to be ” the new TWILIGHT “. This is how the film has long been sold. Unfortunately, the studio producing DIVERGENT is the same one that of HUNGER GAMES and this latest saga is only halfway through and away from the downward slope. From there, it is impossible (but really impossible) to not compare every aspect of the film with his elder. And lack of bowl, it is much less packaged.

“Beatrice is a young girl of 16 years. In a Chicago post-apocalyptic world where society is divided into five factions, it has to choose his camp between the Sincere (honest), the Scholars (the intelligent), Fraternal (pacifists), the Bold (the brave) and the Altruistic (selfless). After passing the test, it turns out that rare, its test is not conclusive as it shows an aptitude towards 3 of the 5 factions (Scholars, Daring and Altruistic). She is Divergent and in danger of death. Native Altruistic, she will go in the Daring, a faction that could be dangerous for her… “

New story dystopian, DIVERGENT borrows from the first HUNGER GAMES his narrative, ultra basic and expected : it takes an hour – or much longer if necessary – to introduce the main characters, the spatio-temporal setting and the major issues of the first component. To reach the largest number, we appeal to a theme as universal as the separation of a family without history. To give pleasure to younger people and make them laugh, it showcases the romance predictable, to which are added jokes schoolboy, comic situations and innuendo staggering. Finally, to calm the more adventurous, we hold a few scenes of training where the heroine takes the beating on bash. Then begins the second part, in which flow of the scenes intended to raise a little pressure. Has the inside of which are the exceptional qualities of the heroine are being refined and should lead us to the disruptive element and, therefore, to the third party, which will consist of an epic scene of confrontation. Classic narrative, therefore.

“Visually weak, too long and too superficial in its interpretation.”

On HUNGER GAMES, DIVERGENT layer-its main features – but not only. Of the story to the music, passing by the major figures, everything is rapprochable, comparable. Thus, Shailene Woodley (THE DESCENDANTS, THE SPECTACULAR NOW) is found here in the skin of a teenager overwhelmed by political issues which it does not know the ins-and-outs, unique, and essential to the fight in spite of it, and that quickly his great love. Does it remind you of anything ? HUNGER GAMES of course. But not that : TWILIGHT also, and this is not a compliment. Even with the efforts, the actress of 22 years revealed in the series ” the SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER does not lead to large, don’t work it out, and we hope that someone more couillu – Jennifer Lawrence, for example – to come to the rescue, the help, the chaperoning.

For camping Tobias, character sensitive and strong at the same time, the producers chose the almost unknown Theo James (YOU WILL MEET A BEAUTIFUL AND DARK UNKNOWN, THE BOLOSS). Endearing and believable, the British made it part of his job without flinching. In the role of Jacob (oops, pardon !), the moron service alias Peter, it is no surprise that Miles Teller (PROJECT X, THE SPECTACULAR NOW) who will stick. And it goes without saying that, although not a treaty in this first installment, a love triangle Beatrice/Tobias/Peter is more than possible. Among other roles notable, we find as expected the wicked warden (Jai Courtney, DIE HARD : GOOD DAY TO DIE), the adviser of the shadow (Maggie Q, DIE HARD : RETURN to HELL) and the unfailing friend (Zoë Kravitz, X-MEN : THE BEGINNING). The rest of the distribution is assured by famous actors more or less credible (Kate Winslet and Tony Goldwyn for example) and new faces little endearing (Ansel Elgort, Christian Madsen, or even Ben Lloyd-Hughes). The whole is not efficient and is a dire lack of interest and synergy, catering for a scenario that patina after the first hour.

But if only there was this… With a budget of 85M$ (7M more than the first HUNGER GAMES), the result is visually poor. DIVERGENT offers to see the fight scenes just worked, and digital effects little cared for. The first plans of the city of Chicago disaster are nice without being amazing but it stops there. The inlays are lost, but at least the 3D we is spared. Phew ! Finally, let’s talk about the soundtrack of the film. As for the second HUNGER GAMES (what a coincidence !), it was a marketing ploy unstoppable. In effect, the musician, composer and Dutch DJ Junkie XL has done its job well. We, therefore, find Ellie Goulding, Woodkid, Gesaffelstein, A$AP Rocky, Snow Patrol, Kendrick Lamar, M83, Skrillex, and the like On the paper, it is a dream. But, in fact, DIVERGENT draws a lot, and necessarily too – on the voice atypical of Ellie Goulding and on the chorus leading to the “Run Boy Run” from Woodkid. Understandable, but unfortunate.

In other words, DIVERGENT is one of those entertainment that is watching, that make us smile at times but that does not mark the spirits. Visually weak, too long and too superficial in its interpretation, the film of Neil Burger deviates from its about – which is nevertheless very interesting – to tell a class struggle as a manichean. But in the absence of we have fully satisfied, DIVERGENT has the merit of having given us the urge to download the soundtrack official-and discover “the new Robert Pattinson” in the person of Theo James. It is already that !