Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes, unless you really loathe “The Divergent Series.”
Rating: 3.9/5
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 120 minutes (2 hours)
“The Divergent Series: Allegiant” is a young adult post-apocalyptic science fiction drama, and the third installment (out of four planned films) in the “The Divergent Series” franchise. It sees Tris and Four venturing into the outside world with their friends, and finding out the truth about the faction system. It stars Shailene Woodley (Tris Prior), Theo James (Tobias “Four” Eaton), Ansel Elgort (Caleb Prior), Zoë Kravitz (Christina), Miles Teller (Peter Hayes), Jeff Daniels (David), Naomi Watts (Evelyn Johnson-Eaton), Octavia Spencer (Johanna Reyes), Maggie Q (Tori Wu), Bill Skarsgård (Matthew), and Nadia Hilker (Nita). It is rated PG-13.
“The Divergent Series: Allegiant” is the most well-balanced film of the series and, more importantly, works well as a standalone movie. It assumes basic knowledge of who all the characters are, but also manages to subtly weave in exposition from the previous movies so that new audiences can understand the story without resorting to searching the Internet while watching the film. While the first two movies were pretty over the top in how they handled revelations and character development, “The Divergent Series: Allegiant” manages to rein in the hamminess, although some traces of it still remain.
Highlights
Good action and effects
Unlike the previous two films which are set in a ruined city, “The Divergent Series: Allegiant” showcases many different locations, like scarred landscapes and futuristic fortresses, so the visuals don’t get repetitive. It makes good use of the new settings to introduce interesting technology to the movie that aids in the action sequences and gives the heroes the edge they need over their enemies. It stays gritty when necessary, but knows when to emphasise the science fiction element when required.
Plot and drama are better executed
In comparison to the previous film, the scripting is better, and also holds up as a solo movie. The revelations and twists are timed properly, giving enough breathing room to absorb and understand what’s happening before flinging another curveball at the audience. Motivations and character development are telegraphed well, and the drama, while expected, feels organic and well deserved.
Clever setups and payoffs
Seemingly inconsequential character building moments turn out to be clever ways to feed crucial information to us, such that when the final conflict rolls around, less time is required for exposition. By building upon previously established facts, it rewards the audience for making that last logical connection. Without having to spell things out explicitly, the film has more time to devote to plot and character development.
Well-paced
Through introducing new elements at regular intervals, whether it be a plot development, new character, or different location, the movie keeps you constantly engaged. There are no long, draggy moments, and even the romance has been trimmed to a less excruciating amount. This serves “The Divergent Series: Allegiant” well because many of the tropes of young adult post-apocalyptic dramas are already familiar to audiences, so it has to rely on the strength of its filmmaking technique rather than the novelty of the concept to keep audiences satisfied until the series ends.
Letdowns
Antagonists are badly characterised
The main antagonist of the film is a predictable, fist-shaking maniac who delivers hammy grunts and has the stereotypical characteristics of a villain of his type. The secondary antagonists, while given a bit more dimension and development, are colossally stupid in their naïveté, being unable to see through the most transparent of ploys. It’s a wonder that the antagonists have been able to get as far they have in the film, with their horrendous levels of incompetence.
“The Divergent Series: Allegiant” is where the series finally starts getting good, and also merits watching as a film in its own right.
“The Divergent Series: Allegiant” opens in cinemas 17 March, 2016 (Thursday).
Leave a Reply