Insurgent is a fast paced thrilling joyride!
Good thing we have gradually stepped into the dark in this one. Roth isn’t afraid to kill people any more, and we don’t mind watching the dead!
With the release of Divergent last year, and the mediocrity it skimmed on, Insurgent seemed like a long shot. But boy does it prove everyone wrong. The flick comes in strong with a lot of action and thrilling acts of defiance. It is one hell of a joyride wrapped up beautifully in one fine editing thread of awesomeness.
Plot runs gorgeously complementing the acting prowess of Shailene Woodley and Kate Winslet. Theo James still lacks the gravity of the extraordinary but works just fine with Shailene in the vanguard. Miles Teller is an exceptional and inevitable element to the tale and is still amazing behind the lens. Jai Courtney is ruthless as ever and Zoe, well she hasn’t been given much screen time here.
The time that has been squeezed out of action is well spent on drama, where Shailene simply blows you away. She is relatable and does manage to weigh in on your emotional heart with her breaking voice and concerned countenance. Dream sequences in the movie are quite exceptional. Withering buildings and bodies look really badass when fragmenting.
SPOILERS:
There are several instances in the movie where the direction seems to be abruptly gliding towards dodgy. Like the unrealistic direction when Edgar finds out about Four’s true identity. Also, Caleb’s reluctance to continue the sojourn spoiled by Ansel’s drab acting and Shailene and Theo’s shallow comeback. Missing gravity on Theo’s face would occasionally compel the movie to circle mediocre flames. The flick also misses out on character development for some crucial elements, for instance, introduction of Uriah to the tale was pretty bland and abrupt. Also, we don’t get a proper glimpse into Johanna’s life either.
Wrapping up a book in two hours is hard. To what Robert Schwentke managed in a flick is worth commendable. If only the franchise grated itself on a fully fledged TV series, it would be a whole different story to show every bit from the book in an amplified manner. But whatever we have on the big screen is still pretty dope. We can work with it. Go watch this beauty!
Insurgent
Pros
- Brilliant plot
- Great action
- Exceptional editing
- Top notch visuals
- Outstanding performance by Shailene
Cons
- Lacks character development for new additions
- Wrapping up a book cuts crucial elements
- Dodgy direction at times
- Average background score
