DIVERGENT (2014) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Shailene Woodley | Theo James | Kate Winslet
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The hosts initially dismissed 'Divergent' based on 'hammy' commercials but found themselves genuinely engaged during their first watch.
- ❖The movie's world-building, including the five distinct factions and post-apocalyptic Chicago, was a significant strength.
- ❖Tris's character arc, from Abnegation to Dauntless, was praised for her agency and evolution, contrasting with other YA heroines.
- ❖The Dauntless initiation process, including train jumps, pit jumps, and fear simulations, effectively built tension and character.
- ❖The underlying conspiracy involving mind control serum and the hunt for Divergents added depth to the plot.
- ❖Some action sequences and character resolutions (e.g., Miles Teller's character) were noted as weak points or plot conveniences.
- ❖The hosts found 'Divergent' to be a superior experience to 'Twilight' and comparable to 'The Hunger Games' in its genre.
Insights
1Detailed Faction System and World-Building
The hosts were impressed by the intricate five-faction society (Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, Erudite) and the post-apocalyptic Chicago setting, noting its visual appeal and how it slowly revealed information to the audience.
Jabby initially found the commercial 'hammy' but was drawn in by the visuals of the second movie. Michael praised the 'beautiful post-apocalyptic world' and the detailed descriptions of each faction's role and values.
2Tris's Active and Evolving Protagonist Role
Unlike some other young adult heroines, Tris is portrayed as an active participant in her own story, making significant choices and driving the narrative forward, which resonated positively with the hosts.
Michael notes that Tris 'still makes choices' and 'was still an active participant in her own story,' contrasting her with 'helpless' characters like Bella Swan. Jabby adds that she's 'not innately questioning the authority of everything' but rather embarks on a journey of discovery.
3Effective Dauntless Initiation and Fear Simulations
The challenges faced by Dauntless initiates, from jumping onto moving trains and into unknown pits to navigating fear simulations, were highlighted as engaging and crucial for character development.
The hosts react with excitement to the train jump and the 'leap of faith' into the pit. They found the fear simulations, particularly Tris's ability to manipulate them, to be a 'cool transition' and an interesting way to explore her Divergent abilities.
4Government Conspiracy and Mind Control Serum
The revelation of a mind control serum being used on the Dauntless faction and the Erudite's plot to control society added a compelling layer of conspiracy to the narrative, raising the stakes for Tris and other Divergents.
Jabby speculates that the Erudite and Dauntless leaders are 'trying to turn Dauntless into a mindless army that follows all orders' using a 'cognitive transmitter' serum. Michael notes the 'horrible' implications of thoughts and emotions being 'wiped away by chemistry.'
5Mixed Reception for Action Sequences and Minor Character Arcs
While generally enjoying the film, the hosts expressed disappointment with certain fight scenes, which felt too quick or lacked struggle, and found the resolution or presence of some minor characters (like Miles Teller's) to be underdeveloped.
Jabby critiques the 'capture the flag' fight for being 'a little bit quick' and the final confrontation with Kate Winslet's character as too abrupt. Both hosts question Miles Teller's character's unexplained presence in the escape, suggesting a 'deleted scene or something like that.'
Lessons
- Watch 'Divergent' for its strong world-building and character development, especially if you enjoy dystopian narratives with active protagonists.
- Pay attention to the subtle cues and gradual revelations about the faction system and underlying conspiracy, as these elements are praised for their effectiveness.
- Consider the film's unique approach to character agency in the young adult genre, as Tris's choices drive much of the plot rather than external forces acting upon her.
Quotes
"This is so hammy. Whatever. Then the second movie commercial dropped and I was like, 'This actually looks pretty cool.'"
"It's because nurture and nature go into who you are. So if you're nurtured in a faction, you're probably going to end up that faction."
"I'm really enjoying this movie a lot more than I thought I would."
"If you don't fit into a category, they can't control you."
"It's human nature to keep secrets, lie, steal, to be uncontrollable, to question authority."
"I don't want to be just one thing. I can't be. I want to be brave and I want to be selfless, intelligent, and honest, and kind."
"It's like they're doing a nice job of just like giving you more and more information, slowly filling in the gaps and and kind of giving a bigger world view."
"She was still an active participant in her her own story."
Q&A
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