The Divergent Series: Allegiant – Part 1
Dir: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Shailene
Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Zoë Kravitz, Ansel Elgort, Naomi Watts,
Octavia Spencer, and Jeff Daniels
Lionsgate
121 Minutes
“The Divergent Series” has been moving along since its
lackluster introduction two years ago. Based on the successful young adult
novels, told through three books by author Veronica Roth, “The Divergent
Series: Allegiant – Part 1” has taken the route of other final installment
films, like “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows”, by splitting their finale into two films. The results of this method
have been somewhat hit or miss, an attempt to build-up towards an ending that
will leave you eager for the final installment that you are asked to wait
for; “Allegiant – Part 1” unfortunately
doesn’t leave you wanting more and instead feels like a film franchise that has
lost its way.

So what’s wrong with the film? For one it’s filled with a bunch
of needless, overlong scenes. And at two hours in length every repeated step is
felt. The group walks through a raining nuclear wasteland, the best set piece
of the film series so far, and directly into a camouflaged army working for The
Bureau of Genetic Welfare. From here the familiarity takes over, the group is
divided into work factions again, the community is being protected from unwanted
people living outside the confines, and authority is controlled by the forceful
soldiers blindly doing the bidding of their master. Sound familiar? Still,
brave Tris, the strong female
character established in the first two films, should maintain focus
right? Unfortunately the usually keen and intuitive Tris is completely
blindsided and willing to trust an obviously suspicious leader named David
(Jeff Daniels). Tris, in this movie, is a difficult character to invest in, let
alone cheer for when the time for action comes.
There are some good parts. Shailene Woodley continues to bring
something interesting into the composition of her heroine, regardless of how
hard the narrative tries to undermine her. It could be discerned that even the
best heroes have moments of weakness because of their inherent pursuit for
peace and hope, if so, Ms. Woodley is doing her best to display this sentiment
to her character and it shines in small moments. Miles Teller is still around
and still provided with welcome opportunities to let his comedic side shine,
even when he is throwing a temper-tantrum about the world being against him.
“The Divergent Series: Allegiant – Part 1” is trying to extend
its life, however splitting its finale into two parts may not have been the
best plan. Instead of building anticipation for the final chapter of the
series, the film feels unfortunately lost in its own unnecessary designs.
Monte’s Rating
2.00 out of 5.00
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