One choice can destroy you.
On the run from divergent-purgers, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) seek refuge in the Amity faction. In the process, the sinister Jeanine (Kate Winslet) is looking for the right Divergent to complete simulation challenges and open a box that holds vital information about factions and divergents.
Woodley gives a fantastic lead performance here. In comparison to her shier, more held back performance in Divergent, she really comes out of her shell and shows off more of her emotional range here. In two particularly intense scenes, she shows surprisingly raw emotion and sincerity. Considering she's become a breakout star almost to the level of Jennifer Lawrence of The Hunger Games, she doesn't hesitate to go all out here. And it works stunningly.
The rest of the actors, unfortunately, falter in Woodley's shadow. And partly this is because Tris is the only character given more-than-sufficient development out of everyone. In comparison to the last time around, James wasn't given nearly as much great dialogue, and as a result, his performance comes off a little stale. Ansel Elgort fares a little better as Caleb, but with the exception of one emotional confrontation with Tris, doesn't have a lot of dialogue to work with. Octavia Spencer, Ashley Judd (in a brief cameo) and Naomi Watts are very underused. Miles Teller, although given a few mildly humorous lines, has his character's personality come across as a little cheesy. Kate Winslet has a few great moments towards the end, but even she's restrained as a (laugh laugh) villain who comes across as more of a negotiator rather than a formidable opponent.
The screenplay works fine for the most part, though it doesn't follow its' book source nearly as well as the first movie (according to my sister, I haven't actually read the books). The film's pacing never drags. Some exciting and well-paced action sequences. The visual effects are very over-the-top. Some work very well, but some come across (especially for the type of movie this is) as too flashy. The production design and costume design are solid.
There are a few strong messages in Insurgent. The movie asks us to ponder the idea of revenge. Some plot points metaphorically point to a strong warning of the emptiness and regret revenge can carry. Also present are strong examples of self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and being honest. Tris' journey also serves a minor reminder of how second chances can make a big difference (especially when it comes to life in general) and can't be taken lightly when offered.
Many people make way too many comparisons between The Hunger Games and Divergent movies. And sometimes, it can be difficult to look past their blatant similarities. They both have teen female protagonists fighting against an unfair dystopian system. They both have sophisticated concepts. And they both have, a lot of killing.
My family watched Divergent last year, and I ended up liking it better than I thought it would. But it did become somewhat messy towards the end with the unexpected deaths of many major characters (though this arguably happens in the book, so its not the movie's fault it would seem). That being said, unlike some other movies, Divergent did succeed in keeping me glued to the screen from beginning to end.
This follow-up, in many ways (as what many could tell from the trailers), is a darker and more mature film. Some of these additions and adjustments work (its nice to see the teenager-like characters be less rebellious and grow up somewhat, and Tris matures into a more fleshed-out character here), and some don't (why add a moment of implied suicide as well as other harsher content issues that weren't even present the first time?).
Technically, Insurgent also steps things up quite a bit. But at times, I noticed it was trying too hard at creating breathtaking visual effects. Visual effects work for certain films (superhero films and movies that specifically involve them), but this is a rare film where it isn't utilized very well, and is extremely over-done. In comparison, Divergent wisely restrained itself on special effects and focused more on the exciting, genuine action and cool Dauntless stunts than this one does. The visual effects here also make the story less consistent than the first movie.
That being said, Insurgent does have a few bright spots. The action is still very exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There are a few wisely-placed emotional slow-down moments. The pacing is fast and doesn't drag out the film's 2-hour running time. And Woodley's emotionally-compelling and gripping performance is a much-needed bonus here, considering the rocky road this genre has had with critical reception.
But at the same time, I felt that the annoying amount of messiness developed at the end of the first movie could never quite fend itself off throughout Insurgent.
Score: 4.8/10
Content Problems Families Should Be Aware Of:
Language: In astonishment, after hearing a crazy-ish plan, one character muffles a barely-audible f-word (I'm not 100% certain it was fully said). Elsewhere, we hear two uses each of the s-word, "h---" and "d---" (most of these take place within 10 minutes of the movie). One "oh my g--".
Adult Content: Tris and Four consummate their relationship. We see them passionately kiss and take off their shirts before the scene ends (Tris' bare back is seen, as well as Four's chiseled front). We see them in bed together a few times. A few outfits are low-cut/tight-fitting. Tris is seen showering (we see her from the shoulders up with her arms crossed).
Violence: Lots of gunfire and hand-to-hand combat. Various characters are killed and/or badly injured. Some characters are shot in the head (with the gunshot/effect occurring off-screen). Some simulations show a whole mess of destruction. Tris has violent dreams of people killed (with a little bit of blood shown). Four is almost hit by a train. Someone is shown with a slightly-bloodied mouth. Someone's nearly slashed with a knife. Outside of simulations, Divergents are tortured and killed (at the end, we hear a snap and see blood outside their nose and ears). People are shot with tracking devices into hypersleep (except for divergents). Through these tracking devices, three people are mind-controlled to commit suicide (by walking off of a high wall, two are saved while one falls to her unfortunate death). Someone else falls from massive heights and is presumed dead. Someone's face is smashed against a glass window (a little bit of blood is smeared on the window).
Drugs/Alcohol: Not much. A truth serum and various medicines are injected into divergents for experimental purposes.
Other: Caleb betrays his sister. Some other lying and manipulation. Four's mother's reasons for leaving her son were not very convincing. Some poor judgment.
