Insurgent is the latest instalment in the seemingly endless stream of teen dystopia adaptations spilling forth from Hollywood.
Following on from last year’s Divergent, this series tells the story of Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley), in a world where humanity is split into different ‘factions’ according to each individual’s personality. After discovering that she is resistant to society’s categorisation when the proverbial sorting hat is unable to place her, Beatrice is labelled a ‘divergent’. Insurgent opens with Beatrice on the run with hot guy Tobias Eaton (Theo James), hunted by the powers that be for threatening the social order.
It’s getting increasingly hard to invest in a three-part teen dystopia franchise, where the last book will presumably be split in two. Even putting this aside, Insurgent isn’t a strong movie. As was the case with Divergent, the most impressive parts of the film are the dreamlike tests that Beatrice has to endure. But it seems as though even the director Robert Schwentke recognises this, spending more time on these plot points than on much-needed character development.
Woodley and James lead the cast pretty well, doing the best they can with a clumsy screenplay. I’m yet to understand Ansel Elgort being hired for any role, but here he is yet again. Miles Teller manages to impress with very little screentime, which is unsurprising given his track record.
The film’s heavy action disappoints, with Beatrice’s every escape achieved due to an unbelievably incompetent military, rather than to her being particularly impressive. The geography of the world makes absolutely no sense, making it hard to follow where Beatrice is supposed to be at any point in the film. And by the time the plot starts actually moving, it is hard to care what is happening to any of the angsty characters. Now to wait for the next instalment.
2.5/5 stars
Insurgent opens in cinemas on Thursday March 19.
