This is a books to film review.. Movie releases TODAY!
“Action, fun, and thought provoking, this movie packs a punch with a swoon-worthy Four that makes this movie a must-see for YA junkies”
Synopsis
In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. Watch the movie trailer HERE
Review
So, I’m no film critic or have some kind of film degree, but I am an avid reader, lover and sucker for a really good romance book. Paranormal, Contemporary or Dystopian- I am all for a unique story that takes me on a fun journey and keeps me entertained. So before I lay down my review, I want to make sure you understand that this review is coming from a book lover that loves to see her favorite books go to film.
I was given the chance to see Divergent the movie a couple weeks before the premiere. During this event I couldn’t bring a cell phone or any recording device of course, so that there were no social media spoilers out there to ruin the film. So I can’t really give quotes or detailed telling of movie.
So in reading the book, you get great details of this world Tris lives in that author created. I am happy to report that the movie does mirror the description of the world that author built in the book, even the huge broke down merry-go-round in Chicago is in it, and they paid attention to detail during the team competition scene.
Of course you did not get a chance to see all the scenes or even all the chapters touched on in the movie, which is 2.5 hours long; a pretty long movie that goes by in a blink because the action and the scene switches so quickly – you’re not even looking at your watch. Things I enjoyed about the movie:
1. It kept a very fast pace that had you on the edge the entire time.
2. The scenes that were included in the movie were ones that were my must-haves in the book.
3. The actors are awesome; I mean Kate Winslet, Ashley Judd, Shaline Woodley, Theo James (HOT), Mekhi Phifer and so much more. They killed it and owned their characters.
4. I loved the story!
5. The zip line scene (so cool).
6. The way the movie has you thinking and questioning what faction you fit in and what kind of world would it be.
7. I love how it ended and can’t wait for a sequel.
Scenes that weren’t in the book
1. Some of the training Tris goes through and the arguments and fights she has with other born Dauntless members.
2. Times in which Tris goes out with friends in Dauntless down time.
3. Days between training; they don’t address how long they have been there, just where they are in the process of training.
4. Just details behind fights and arguments, what happened after.
– That’s all I’m saying now, I don’t want to ruin the movie.
So as you can tell I really enjoyed the film. Those who liked Hunger Games will like this and for those who didn’t – they will too. I mean, I really like this one better than The Hunger Games. The concept of Hunger Games was more vivid and the pace of the movie moved fast, but the Divergent movie had more content of the book in it than the Hunger Games movie. As a fellow book lover this is why we enjoy the books more than the movie, the details. Taking pivotal scenes we love out in order to squeeze in the beginning, middle and ending of a movie never cuts it for me. But as for book-to-films go, I have to confess this one really delivered. I think having the author there on set helped and the director must have consulted with her on her vision.
As you know, this is my sole opinion of the book-to-film review, and those who prefer just reading the book will do just that, but as far as books-to-films go in the YA genre, this one is definitely one of my favorite. Besides, you have GOT to see Theo, who plays “Four” – he is super fine in this movie.
Warning: This is truly a PG movie, there are no sex scenes but definitely swoon-worthy scenes in it, and the anticipation has you on edge. I rate it a solid 4.5 stars like the book for is its entertainment value, power house acting, and for making the book come to life in a very real way.
Read my interview with the author Veronica Roth and actor Ansel (play’s Caleb)HERE
Divergent Series Reading order
Buy Divergent on Kindle| Buy Divergent in Paperback
Buy Insurgent on Kindle | Buy Insurgant in Paperback
Buy Allegaint on Kindle | Buy Allegiant in Paperback
More Four!
Fans of the Divergent series will be thrilled by ‘The Four short story series’, four new short stories told from Four’s perspective. Each brief story explores the world of the Divergent series through the eyes of the mysterious but charismatic Tobias Eaton, revealing previously unknown facets of his personality, back story and relationships.
Short Story series Four’s POV, reading order:
Buy Four The Transfer on Kindle
Buy Four The Initiate on Kindle
Pre – order Free Four on Kindle (July 8, 2014)
Pre – order Four The Traitor on Kindle (July 8, 2014)
