As a reader of Veronica Roth’s novel, I couldn’t wait for the movie to come out. As I found out very quickly though, I was seemingly the only one.

Every time I asked a friend to go see Divergent with me, the response was always met negatively. I finally was able to drag two friends with me, and after watching the movie, they both came out singing its praises.

For those of you who don’t know, the film takes place in a futuristic society, where every person on their sixteenth birthday picks a faction to join. Factions value a particular attribute like bravery or intelligence above all else. Before picking a faction, they must take an aptitude test that tells them where they belong. Upon taking her test, Beatirce ‘Tris’ Prior (Shailene Woodley) discovers that she doesn’t fit into just one faction but rather multiple factions. She is a divergent.

What happens next is an incredibly fun ride that’s equal parts adventure, sci/fi and fantasy. In order to help convince people to go see Divergent, I’ve broken down this review into “frequently asked questions.” Don’t worry, I’m here to help.

Q1: Isn’t this just another teen movie?

This film may have a teenager as its protagonist, but breaks the mold when it comes to subject matter. This film deals with difficult issues like suicide, peer pressure, abuse and rape with unexpected grace. As a young woman, I can’t even begin to describe how simply yet beautifully this film handled the rape scene. It’s unlike any other film and that scene should be applauded.

Q2: No but really, isn’t Tris just a rip off of Katniss and ‘Hunger Games’?

The two heroines are completely different. While Katniss is strong, she is mostly controlled by people or the circumstances around her. Katniss was forced into the Hunger Games and became a reluctant figurehead for the revolution. Tris however, chooses to change her life by picking a different faction. She chooses to become strong and she chooses to fight. While Katniss has superhero like qualities, Tris stubbornly holds onto her humanity. She has no special skill other than the fact that she does not belong anywhere. As for actual plot, there is, refreshingly, no love triangle. Tris sets her eyes on the mysterious and gorgeous Four (Theo James) and that’s it. No third party character that only weighs down the story.

Q3: But I didn’t read the book; will I be able to understand the film?

Yes! The film takes the time to establish and explain the world. The screenplay does a great job at editing the book, taking out the unnecessary parts and allowing the film to become accessible to all audiences. My two friends knew nothing about the film before viewing it and they were able to comprehend everything.

Q4: But I’m a guy, why should I see this? Isn’t this a chick flick?

NO. There are equal parts violence, action, blood, death and a lot of cool futuristic weapons. The film also features stunning visual effects that will make anybody gasp in awe.

Q5: How can this film star Shailene Woodley? Wasn’t she awful on ‘Secret Life of the American Teenager’?

Yes, she was terrible on that TV show but since then has proven herself as a brilliant actress. It’s easier to just forget that that show ever existed, and blame her performance on horrible direction and scripts, and her inexperience. She’s worked hard since then, and it’s all paid off. This films works for a lot of reasons, but first and foremost, because of her performance and interpretation of the character.

The word divergent itself means “tending to be different,” or “differing from a standard.” That’s what this film is. It’s transformed the image of a strong female protagonist and proven that this type of movie and character can be successful; and it’s grossed $114 million along the way.

That may sound like an easy feat because the success stories are dangled so loudly in front of us, Twilight, The Hunger Games and the Harry Potter series. But for every series that’s successful, there’s at least two films that haven’t. This year alone Beautiful Creatures, Ender’s Game, Mortal Instruments and Vampire Academy have all under-performed at the box office. Going back even further think of films like Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, Eragon, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and The Host. These films show that while a book has a fan base or been a critical hit, it doesn’t automatically translate into a good film or box office success.

That’s why this movie should be seen, because it, like Tris cannot be judged or placed into one category. It is divergent.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

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