I won't be giving you the premise of the story, and how the book became a bestseller. Do your own research. Google "Divergent" synopsis and you will find it. Beware of the spoilers by the way.
Without further ado, I will go straight to enumerating my thoughts, per section. (Because it seems more organized that way.)
SECTION I. MY GENERAL THOUGHTS
If I would be professional enough to rate Divergent between the scale of 1-10, I'd give it around 9. Yes, I loved it regardless of the changes and the overboard cuts between the book and the film. However, as my friend commented, Divergent lacked something she can't pinpoint. I think I understood what she meant.
Some movies aren't just enjoyable, they're life-changing. Divergent did not change my life. I am not being cliché here, but mind that a great movie haunts its audience. When I enter a movie theater, I expect that when I step out of it, the film would leave a mark, however small, in me. Perhaps something to ponder on. When I left the movie theater after Divergent, yes it had put a smile in my face, but it also left nothing.
I also felt like it lacked humor at first. It was too serious. But then thinking about it again, I don't think it needed more. Of course there were the quirky scenes, especially at the end between Peter and Tris, and of course Tris' final awkward fear simulation scene with Four where everybody's watching. So I changed my mind. The humor was enough. No need to go overboard.
SECTION II. THE ACTORS
Before Allegiant (The third installment from the Trilogy where this film originated from) came out, there came news of the film and all the casts. I was excited, until they all announced it. Shailene Woodley as an actor was a so-so for me. I saw her once on the TV show "The Secret Life of an American Teenager", and thought she was good at what she does, which is acting, but I just can't bring myself to love her. And I still don't.
And then the rest of the Initiates, for whom I judged too early, were also announced. One cast after another didn't fit with the imagery I had on mind.
This led on Theo James being casted as Four. And I didn't like him too.
That was it for me. I lost it all. The next few months I wasn't as hyped about the movie, until the day finally came.
Until I saw the movie.
Until I ate my words.
I still did not like Shailene Woodley, but I was truly impressed with her acting. I wouldn't give away too much, but there was one part on the film that screams this compliment. It was during the Initiation at Dauntless, when she found out about Al after she told him to stay away. Her reaction at that was truly superb!
And then Theo James as Four threw me off the cliff. I truly, personally want to apologize to him. I should have given him the benefit of the doubt. I was iffy about him being casted as Four until not only too long ago. He played the part so well, I almost can't remember how I originally pictured Four in my head. Theo James made Four as Theo James, and Four made Theo James as Four. He embodied the character so well, and my goodness gracious... he's hot!
SECTION III. THE COSTUMES/SETTING
Need I say more with the costumes? It's hilarious! I guess when I read the book it did not occur as comical, but seeing it on the wide screen... all orange and red... all gray... seems a bit too weird. (Laugh break). I guess that's why Dauntless just stands out. All black just seems more acceptable.
Moreover, perhaps 75% of the setting appeared more comical to me compared to how I first thought so while reading the book. The Abnegation boxed houses. The ruined infrastructures. The Dauntless abyss. The Amity fence. The only thing acceptable as futuristic is the Erudite headquarters. Come to think about it again, I think the idea of separating population by their personalities really do seem absurd, especially in live-action.
But it's too late now. I already love Divergent. I already love the concept. I have already digested Divergent. I have already accepted the absurdity because it's so damn cool. But trust me, reading is so much better because however weird it may seem on the wide screen, it wouldn't appear so much on paper. And I don't know why.
SECTION IV. THE BOOK VS. THE FILM
If I can use percentage system, I'd say maybe 20% changed in the film. And I think I know why. They needed more running time. They needed more Jeanine Matthews scenes. They needed more Kate Winslet scenes. That annoyed me for sure. Jeanine isn't really a big deal on the book until perhaps the last few chapters. But in the movie, she's pretty much everywhere. I guess I understand that, since they're probably paying Kate Winslet more, than Theo and Shailene combined.
Overall, there were three major (I consider major) changes I've noticed:
1.) The tattoo description.
2.) Visitation Day
3.) WTF THERE IS NO STABBING JEANINE IN THE CONTROL ROOM. IN FACT THERE IS NO JEANINE IN THE CONTROL ROOM (Now they've created a loophole, where in fact Divergent was already perfect as is. Think about it. If Jeanine was there, and Tris managed to stop her, she should have stopped her permanently.)
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