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INSURGENT: A FOUR-Way Conversation Style Movie Review of the Divergent Sequel

The Divergent series gets the special treatment around here at The Young Folks. As fans of the book and the first movie, we were really excited for the sequel, Insurgent. Since four (LOL) of the TYF writers had a chance to see the movie earlier this week, we chose to share our thoughts on film through a conversation with each other.

The playing field is even. Two of us have read the books and remain fans, while the other two have only seen the movies. Read on below to see what Gaby, Melissa, Allyson and Jon have to say about Insurgent.

**MAJOR MOVIE & BOOK SPOILER WARNING**

Gaby: Let’s commence the second annual four-way conversation on the Divergent series! What are your overall thoughts on the movie?

Melissa: I thought it was okay. It starts out exciting but then loses its flare with so many simulations, which some I found cheesy. The new characters are quite forgettable, and the other cast members aren’t as charismatic this time, apart from Miles Teller–who is hilarious in the film. Overall, it was enjoyable, but it doesn’t make a lasting impression.

Allyson: So, I was one of the few people who loved Divergent for what it was, and it’s pretty much the same thing for Insurgent. No, it’s not a “great” film, but I was entertained the entire time, and for that type of film that I’ve seen before, it’s what I was looking for.

Jon: I was not fond of it, aside from the fleeting moments that A-listers were part of the scene. They basically made this film bearable for me.

Gaby: It was better than expected, but I agree–the story itself barely makes an impression. But I thought the performances were far better in this one than in Divergent.

Melissa: Really? I felt as though the acting wasn’t as good.

Gaby: Except for Kate Winslet!

Allyson: Yeah, I thought the movie benefited from some decently committed performances from the younger cast.

Gaby: I thought the acting was far more natural. Shailene was good in it.

Allyson: Shailene has the ability to make me get emotional just by crying onscreen.

Jon: Also, I still haven’t been able to get over how heavy-handed this film and its moral is.

Melissa: What do you mean, Jon?

Allyson: Jon, I know what you mean. It’s the issue I had with the film.

Jon: Okay, so this society is basically separated by certain characteristics.

Gaby: Speaking of heavy-handed, just wait until Allegiant.

Allyson: I read the synopsis of Allegiant the other night after the screening…I didn’t feel like reading the book.

Melissa: NO ONE feels like reading it when they find out.

Jon: I don’t even want to know. Do I?

Gaby: No. It doesn’t make sense anyway!

Allyson: Wiki it.

Melissa: Let me ask the non-book readers—does the movie intrigue you to learn what is beyond the wall?

Allyson: Not really, Melissa.

Jon: Anything to get the hell of dystopian Chicago. I’m ready for a change.

Melissa: LOL, Jon.

Allyson: But in all honesty, none of the plot points in the film are really intriguing. I enjoy it for reasons other than the storytelling. LOL

Gaby: Plot aside, the movie does have fun and goes all out.

Melissa: I feel like, “Why leave now that Jeanine is gone?”

Jon: I’m ready for this to stop being as obvious as to make the “savior” a person with a balanced personality.

Melissa: Do you wonder what makes her the ONLY 100% Divergent person? Isn’t she the “most”? She’s the only one who did all five simulations…

Gaby: I think this movie proves she’s the least Divergent. LOL

Allyson: It’s such an obvious trope now in YA books for there to be the “one” special character. Not that, it doesn’t really make me wonder why. Plot convenience is my assumption.

Jon: Yes there is, but seriously, she is not a savior. She was a passenger in this movie. All of her decisions were made for her.

Melissa: Jon, that’s true!

Jon: I actually wrote down how many decisions she made for her self. It was two. She chose to turn herself in and then to finish the sim test at the end. Everything else was Four’s choices.

Gaby: Because of everything that happened, Tris doesn’t trust herself, which is probably she was relying on others to make decisions.

Jon: Tris was ready to kill another person, but she’s also still racked with guilt about her last kill.

Gaby: I’m glad that got that across about her character. In the book, she has TOUGH time. I liked that the author didn’t skip out on the PTSD.