The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016): An Entertaining Finale To the YA Adaptations

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Human being cannot be categorized int his way it doesn’t work. Maybe it’s time to start embracing people instead of dividing them into groups. – The Divergent Series: Allegiant

The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016): An Entertaining Finale To the YA Adaptations #Moviearchives Share on X

The first half of the much buzzed about conclusion of the Divergent Series opened this past week, and with it, more controversy and disappointment followed. As nearly all YA trilogies are wont to do, the final novel (also titled Allegiant) in Veronica Roth’s popular series was broken into two parts. Only instead of coupling with its title the ever popular “part 1” and “part 2” title sequence, this series titled its final film (set to arrive in theaters June 2017), Ascendant. In Allegiant, the story of a very unusual girl who leads a rebellion picks right back up where Insurgent leaves off.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016) Film Review

Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is the “pure” Divergent the Council and the outer world is waiting for. As a divergent, she’s unique and wanted by more than one powerful leader. Having broken free from the grasp of faction leader Jeanine with the assistance of the man who holds her heart, Four (Theo James), Tris readies to face the next series of unknowns.

This leads her, along with Four; her best friend Christina (Zoë Kravitz); brother, Caleb (Ansel Elgort); and dauntless nemesis Peter (Miles Teller) to climb the wall into the outer world.

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As a book nerd, it may be unusual that I’m one of those people who has not read the novels on which this film franchise is based. The result of this is that I watch these films (and judge them by) their cinematic prose. Having said that, I can honestly say these have been a great deal more impacting and entertaining than many of its competitors. For me, there is something straightforward and uncomplicated about the premise. True, not all of the characters’ motivations are transparent, but for a teen film franchise, the angst levels are nearly nonexistent, and in its place a very real sense of rebellion and poignancy lie within the confines of the story as it shapes itself. Unfortunately for Allegiant, critics have by and large lambasted another installment.

In some ways, I get what critics are saying about this film. In other ways, I disagree and don’t mind the flaws. As entertaining as this series has been, I found this installment very different. To say this series has evolved since it began is an obvious understatement. Whether it’s for the good or bad is all a matter of perspective. Allegiant takes everything familiar and tosses it. The film keeps a nice pace regardless of the tedious meetings that occupy Tris during the greater portion of the film.

As usual, the cast is magnanimous. I love the chemistry of this young cast. Everyone from Ansel Elgort and Zoe Kravitz to Miles Teller’s Peter who is again that dynamic character we love to hate, and generally, love to love because he’s snarky. Then there is Tris and Four, two individuals who form what is an epic love story.

Though there are distractions and cool sci-fi adventures, it’s really their story that centers Allegiant and ensures the audience’s interest (in the YA domain, this is an example of a no-fuss, “real” love). We watch them both struggle with their joint and respective burdens. Theo’s Four remains a memorable YA hero and despite the fact the actor is far older than his character, my fangirl heart does adore him in this role. It’s also worth noting there are some sad losses.

Apart from the characters, there is a lot of neat gadgetry and sci-fi effects. From the weapons Tris and Four get to tout around to a virtual reality pod, the sense of place and setting amps up the “cool factor.” In particular, Tris and Christina’s rescue scene is kick-butt awesome. Since controversy in some form seems to accompany all adaptations, I suspect book purists might have more than one quarrel with the stage its adventurous script plays out. I was impressed with this as a work of cinema and didn’t mind the quieter instances that make up the better part of the scenes. Like its peers, this might not have needed to be split into two parts but as it was I did anticipate the movie that never came. And perhaps, in one of those, if you know, you know scenarios, it’s just as well it didn’t!

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Photos: Lionsgate