Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? If you watched “Divergent.”
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 119 minutes (~2 hours)
“Insurgent” is a post-apocalyptic science fiction movie, the second film in the “Divergent” series. It is also know as “The Divergent Series: Insurgent.” It follows the adventures of Tris, the Divergent, who holds the key to unlocking an ancient message passed down from her ancestors. It stars Shailene Woodley (Tris), Theo James (Four), Miles Teller (Peter Hayes), Ansel Elgort (Caleb Prior), Maggie Q (Tori Wu), Naomi Watts (Evelyn Johnson-Eaton), Kate Winslet (Jeanine Matthews), and Daniel Dae Kim (Jack Kang).
“Insurgent” is a sequel that improves on the original movie, lacking the corniness that marked the first movie, and being less on the nose about its metaphors and symbols. Unfortunately, it lacks a definitive exposition and denouement to make it a standalone movie. Instead, it feels like a longer, extended television episode of the “Divergent” series.
Highlights
Four and Evelyn’s relationship
Their interaction brings out another side of Four’s character that we rarely see, a petulant anger at being betrayed. This contrasts sharply with his usual cool, calm, and collected demeanour. If you’ve watched the previous instalment, then it intensifies this other facet of his characterisation, since you’ve spent a whole movie watching him play the tough guy. There’s still a glint of concern between mother and son though, which makes us root for what will be (hopefully) their eventual reconciliation.
The city’s fate mirroring Tris’ fate
By the midpoint, it becomes clear that Tris’ self-loathing is the character obstacle that she must overcome before being able to be the protagonist that saves the day. And in the climax, we find that her internal conflict is the key to saving the wartorn city. In a sense, the fate of the world lies on Tris’ shoulders, but rather than having to sacrifice herself (as many protagonists are wont to do), she must instead gain maturity – a neat twist indeed. This gives greater impact to her character development and it is this strength of character that is what makes her the chosen one of the story, not her special abilities.
Continuation of the coming-of-age metaphor
While the previous movie, “Divergent,” was a giant metaphor for puberty, “Insurgent” becomes a giant metaphor for coming into adulthood. The ability to accept oneself is reflected by Tris’ character arc, while the transition of life from school to working life is paralleled by revelations of the city’s nature. This builds on the previous movie’s metaphor to become an even larger, more holistic symbolic arc, and tightens the link between both stories.
Fun action scenes
The simulations are particularly creative in concept and execution, with giant set piece encounters that carry on the metaphorical nature of the movie. The stunts are more elaborate and convey a sense of wondrous adventure, and it really spotlights Tris as the heroine of the story – it is through her skills and abilities that we come to realise why she, above all else, has to be the protagonist of the film.
Letdowns
Tris is too passive
Despite being the title character, Tris lets the plot push her along, rather than being the character that drives the plot. As a result, she comes across as being more reactive than having initiative, and the feeling you get is that the events in the story happened by accident, rather than through the determination and effort of the heroine.
Four’s unbridled rage
While we see Four’s less calm side in this movie, we also see a constant, simmering rage that seems disproportionate to the pain that he has suffered. It feels like Four has a chip off his shoulder at times, and this makes him less likeable and inspiring as a character.
Jeanine’s comeuppance was disappointing
For all the time taken to set up the cruelty and invincibility of the antagonist, Jeanine was taken down rather quickly. In fact, there’s no catharsis to her defeat – it just happens, on schedule. It feels that Jeanine deserved a far worse fate than what was shown. Then again, there is the possibility that she will be in the next two films.
“Insurgent” is still a fine film, even without the context of “Divergent” to give you the necessary set up. It beefs up the storytelling of the original, and if the next two films show the same level of improvement, we’ll be in for a fantastic finale by the time the “Divergent” series concludes.
“Insurgent” opens in cinemas 19 March, 2015 (Thursday).
This review was also published on Yahoo Singapore.
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