Insurgent Review

Director: Robert Schwentke.

Cast: Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Theo James, Mekhi Phifer.

Certificate: 12A

Running Time: 119 minutes

Synopsis: The continuing adventures of Tris (Woodley) as she battles against her an oppressive society .

You’d better hold onto your socks, guys, because let it be known that this actioner is going to positively decimate them. THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT has hit cinemas and it’s everything the fans have been waiting for. The second in a trilogy of (yet another) dystopian fiction by author Veronica Roth, INSURGENT picks up moments after where DIVERGENT left us, with renegades Tris Prior (Woodley), her brother Caleb (Elgort), and angsty, ever-pouting Tobias Eaton (James), on the run after the attack on Abnegation.

Where DIVERGENT was, in some ways, an origin story, INSURGENT is where we see our beloved characters really get into the grit of their journey. Erudite leader Jeanine (Winslet) has assumed leadership of their ruined city in an almost Umbridge-like smear campaign to bring in the remaining Divergent population. Our heroes have fled to Amity, the ‘hippy-dippy’ farming faction, where they take refuge under the care of Johanna (Spencer), their leader. Everything falls to pot within minutes when Eric (Courtney) and his cronies pillage the faction in their hunt. After their near-death escape to the underground populous of the Factionless, we meet a barrage of enigmatic characters – as well as a few from the first flick (Zoe Kravitz fans, you won’t be disappointed) – who have been lying in wait for their chance to rise up and overthrow the corrupt leaders of this city.

The adaptation of the DIVERGENT trilogy isn’t without a few changes from the novel here or there, but overall, this is still one of the glaring few who actually stay true to the original work. A film like this is instantly put in better stead when the work doesn’t stray from the author’s work – these novels are successful for a reason. Roth’s work leaves little need for deviation because these stories are simply so captivating. Watching INSURGENT is like reading the book and seeing exactly what you read on the screen in front of you, because the caliber of this cast and crew has raised the bar.

That being said, there are still slight moments where the pace dwindles, and the film feels sluggish. INSURGENT is full of deliberation and enigmatic staring across rooms at other people, a lot of strategising the next move than actually making the move. However, the slow moments are made up in the shockingly fast, action packed dramatic sequences, full of flying bullets – and flying people.

THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT is the film to see this season. It’s gripping from the get-go, and has you living the story right next to the character. The scope of the DIVERGENT universe fully encompasses the audience into their reality, and you’ll find yourself flinching and gasping right along with the characters. Whether you’re a fan of the books or not, THE DIVERGENT SERIES makes for a fantastic movie-going experience.

[usr=4]THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT is out now.