Allegiant: The Movie

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you had a great weekend, I did.  Not very productive on the reading front but I blame Netflix and finding out that Daredevil Season 2 dropped so of course I had to marathon all 13 episodes.  That said I did take a break in there to go see the newest Divergent movie in theaters, Allegiant.  Now I wasn't 100% sure about the news of them splitting the last book into two unsure if there was enough to make it work but seeing it here we go.

Rating:  4 Stars

                Okay I should start by saying that Insurgent wasn't the best for me.  I felt they changed a bit too much and it got a bit weird but overall I was in the book to movie frenzy and was just happy to have it.  That said I didn't re-read Allegiant prior to the movie, figuring with all the changes and just how high tech the world of the movies are would only give me things to nitpick about.  So I haven't read Allegiant since the start of 2014 so the details on the book are a little fuzzy.  So by that I'm doing my review based more on the enjoyment of the movie as a movie rather than a book adaptation.  So that said I did have fun. 

                First thing to note is the acting was on point.  Tris and Four have some great chemistry going on which is important to the story as a whole and making you feel for them as we've seen their relationship develop as whole.  There was also a connection between the rest of the cast that shows the connections they've been though already, like the tension between Caleb and Tris or Peter and everyone.  Peter though, while I never liked him as a character overall I love him in the movies because he has some of the best lines.  OMG the timing and perfect execution of them were beyond what I could expect and had me rolling.  It was much needed to break up much of the seriousness of the other scenes.  Still while the characters I loved where there it felt like a couple, Christina for sure, were only there when it was necessary and while I feel everything we've learned about them up to that point would have made them more vocal than they were.  I feel like she would have been more vocal about the fringe for sure. 

                 The story builds on what we had in the previous movies and we get to know more about the world as a whole, what happened outside the walls of Chicago.  We learn their whole life has been an experiment controlled by people they never knew existed.  Everything they have been through could have been.  They now know there are people outside but the new people in control don't want anyone to go outside and is doing anything to stop it. One tyrant has taken over for another it seems.  Still Tris knows she has to go outside, she has to see what is out there and who can blame her.  Still what they find and what they learn changes everything they thought they knew accept who the one thing that stays true, who they are.

               There is plenty of action and such keeping it moving along and it didn't seem long at all.  It felt like it was over pretty quickly so no dragging moments which I appreciated.  While the sci-fi futuristic tech that keep with the previous movies remains and becomes even more in your face, which as a fan of the books I was not a fan of, some aspects were kind of neat.  The shower and the bubble??? Not so much more like a WTF moment for me.  And really the elevator?  That is just excessive and no wonder it took so long took to do anything lol.  Also I had to suspend my disbelief on a few things towards the end, just as it wasn't fully explained in the context, but in the end I could roll with it.  That and a few continuity issues had me feeling a bit less for it but as I went in with kind of low expectations I think they were exceeded. 

                 That said it was a fun time for me and I'm excited to see where the story will go in the final installment.  I am curious about how some aspects of the book will play out and if changes will be made.  As there were some changes made already, it leaves a bit of hope for those who have read the book.  If you've read you know what I'm talking about.  If not…you should read.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on the movie in the comments below. 

                Until next time…

Insurgent- book to movie

                Welcome back!  As you know Insurgent the movie came out last weekend.  I saw it with my friends opening night and wanted to share my thoughts with you.  Now let me say first things first this review will have spoilers, they are unavoidable as it's a sequel and to discuss the book to movie changes.  So if you haven't seen Insurgent yet there is a small non-spoilery section you can read without fear but then go see it then come back and share your thoughts!  I also find that many people have mixed reviews about the movie which makes this review even more fun to write.  Strap in and enjoy the ride.

                I read these books the first time a couple years ago.  When the first real trailer was released I admit to being a bit confused.  I was unsure if the trailer seemed so different because it was different or if I just didn't remember the book that well.  So to prepare for the movie, I re-read Insurgent the day before I saw it, technically I finished that afternoon before we did see it, so to say it was fresh in my mind is an understatement.  There were a lot of changes made to the movie.  You expect changes in book to movie adaptations, it’s a way of life, and they can make or break a story.  I was okay with most of the changes in the movie.  Let me explain, Insurgent had a LOT happening in it.  There was a ton of exposition and information to absorb in the book and to try and get all of that in there with all the different subplots in just 2 hours of movie and not have it be rushed through at super speed it needed to be condensed.  My honest opinion would be that they should have split Insurgent into two movies, since it had so much meat to it, and then only done the last one as one.  Come on that would have been a huge change, splitting something other than the last book.  Given we didn't get that I was happy with the movie.  I LIKED IT!  I didn't LOVE it as much as some others but I wasn't disappointed in it.  It kept true to at least most of the book and the story, unlike some adaptations. 

                The acting was pretty much as we remember.  There were some intense stares and oh some comedic relief when it wasn't expected.  Never expected to laugh so much at Peter when I hated him so much in the books.  For me there was a bit too much CGI.  The snake things that go into the divergent to try and open the box that levitate them….not necessary.  Why did you need to make it complicated instead of just going with it and having them on the chair like the last one.  Keep some things familiar.  The directors changed and you expected changes in the style but a bit more consistency would have been nice. 

                So that's all I really have that doesn't have spoilers.  Now I want to discuss some of the changes and my thoughts on them.  First let me say these are in no particular order, just how they come to me as I'm writing my review.

                Tris and her emotional state.  Her PTSD is played down somewhat in the movie.  She was struggling with what she did to her friend.  She didn't want to hold a gun, much less use one, in the books but she didn't seem to struggle with weapons in the movie as much, one small flinch at holding a gun does not give the depth the book had through the entire story.  In the book she also became reckless, stupid Dauntless adrenaline junkie reckless, which  put a strain on her and Four.  Speaking of Tris and Four's relationship issues, I think they were better in the movie.  They seemed to be on more solid ground and not have as many bickering moments like in the book because one wasn't being truthful, they just kinda had these looks that seemed to say they understood.  I was conflicted at first because I wasn't sure if that would detract from their relationship as a whole but after seeing it, for me it made their connection that much more real and solid for me where it wavered for me in the book some.  Their relationship is still new and fresh and to be constantly fighting each other with everything else going on would not show them as a strong unit.  However, because they cut out most of their conflict it did cut out some of their growth as characters.

                One of the things I'm most upset about them cutting was in Amity.  Where Tris and Peter fight and she is injected with the peace serum.  Basically Tris on some serious happy drugs.  Why didn't we get this scene where she was drugged out of her mind and so hilarious?  Her conversation with Four during it in the book were great.  It would have given the audience a chance to see insecurities about them and explain about the serums and being divergent.  Four has a theory that she is immune from all the serums but succumbed to this one because she wanted to feel happy. 

See how happy she could have been!

               Which leads me to the Candor truth scene.  The movie never showed that she could have withheld the truth if she wanted.  That in the end even though she could lie, she chose to be honest and get it out there that she killed her friend, Will.  That she told the truth even knowing it would hurt people and herself.  It was a very powerful scene in the book and came a bit short of emotional depth in the movie, showing more awkward than anything.  This also continues with Christina and Tris! They cut out all the stuff between them.  Where she hates her but then after the simulation suicides, which she wasn't involved in, but I liked her seeing it first hand, she understands what Tris meant about Will being unable to hear her and forgives her, which helps Tris start to forgive herself.  Big emotional part.  I think this cut some real depth and emotion from the story and was saddened by it.  Also taking back Dauntless headquarters was a big thing to take back their home.  Plus paintball guns, always fun.

                Some other things, Marcus wasn't in it nearly as much.  He doesn't leave Amity with the others.  Come to think of it the Amity scenes overall were cut much shorter.  I don't really have an opinion on this one way or the other.  I feel it worked for the movie as a whole and with the editing of things cut out it made sense to cut out his part.  Also going back to Candor.  The leader  Jack isn't as much of a pansy as in the book.  In the book after the attack he meets with Erudite to make peace and basically is told he's going to hand over all the divergent, the fugitives, and anyone who wasn't marked with a disk, oh and Eric.  He basically agrees tail between his legs without a fight.  Nope they skip some of that and he is on their side seeing what Erudite is about, I liked that.  Plus I adore the actor!

                Speaking of the attack, one of my other favorite parts was cut.  Tris didn't get to shank Eric.  WHY?  It showed she might still be struggling with her PTSD and not want to shoot people but when her life was on the line or that of an innocent she was willing to act to save them.  Plus Eric was such a douche.  Also they never chose new Dauntless leaders, which wasn't as big of a thing since people could easily see who everyone was looking to.  Tris and Four did flip flops as to his mother/factionless.  Tris was anti it in the book and Four was willing to take a chance, but in the movie it was the opposite, which was only slightly confusing to me.  Also the factionless have a huge headquarters type thing going on instead of small safe houses all over, constantly moving. I totally get it for the movie, it makes more sense to show the numbers and the overall visual feel of them in one space.

                Now one of the biggest changes.  The flipping BOX.  The magical divergent box.  There was no box in the book.  Janine didn't want anyone to know about the message because it would ruin her faction system.  But I can see it.  The box was something for non-book readers to grab onto.  It gave the movie a more sustainable objective.  It also made Janine seem more purpose driven to the point being blind to the clear logical issues which is what she was supposed to be, instead of domination.  They made it all about Tris, again for the purpose of the movie.  Also the wands to find out your faction?  WTF?  Not sure how that was necessary.  Plus it giving the percentage divergent you are?  Not cool with that but…yeah okay I went with it.    

                They cut the rescue scene and the invasion together, for the movie I thought this made a lot of sense.  It flowed better and given some of the subplots and things that were cut out to this point it was the only thing that made sense.  Though again would have loved to see Tris and Christina work together again having made up with one another, a good bonding experience.  Again there was a lot happening in the book and only two hours of movie. The rescue and such leads to the biggest issue I had with the movie changes, and that was the ending.  The end of the movie is with them showing the message to everyone.  Great that happened in the book and it ended there.  Allegiant picks up with a small group of people, Tris/Fours group leaving, not the entire city leaving for the gates so now I'm confused about the next movie.  But more than that, it seems like the factionless were good people.  NO!  In the book after the invasion they start to take arms from the Dauntless quietly and then turn them on them showing they are the new bosses in town.  They don't want to work together but to rule their way.  It ends when the video is played. 

                 There were several other small subplots that added to the dimension of the book that didn't make the movie.  We always knew they wouldn't when the start of them was cut from the first movie and again time restraints.  Come on any book lover would LOVE to see a true everything added and just so movie from their favorite books but that isn't practical.  YET!  Who knows what the future will hold.    Overall though, it may not seem like it by all the things I pointed out that were different or wrong with it from the book, I liked the movie.  I wouldn't give it five stars but I still felt it was a good movie and followed along close enough to the book and its ideals that I'm intrigued to see what happens next and how they will finish the series on the screen.  Plus if they are making changes there is always one change they could make at the end that I'd be totally okay with. 

                I'm sorry if this is a bit of a spastic review.  I just wanted to get my thoughts out there and make note of some things that changed be it good or bad.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book and movie versions.  Share what you think about the overall movie, the changes, are you planning to see Allegiant.  I need to discuss this further.     

Rating: 4 Stars

Divergent: The Movie

                AMAZING.  Yep, I loved it.

                For those of you living under a rock who don't know what Divergent is it’s a film adaptation of the first book in a trilogy by Veronica Roth.  It's a dystopian world years after a war where society split into 5 different factions to help balance peace.  Those who valued each trait above all others would live in and devote themselves to their faction, be it bravery for Dauntless, selflessness in Abnegation, wisdom and learning in Erudite, honesty in Candor, or peace for the Amity.  Each year there is a choosing ceremony where you must chose a faction.  Faction before blood.  Everyone is given a test before, a test meant to show them where they should be but the choice is yours.  Now when your test is inconclusive on one faction and you show a proclivity for multiple then you are Divergent and as society is unable to put you in a nice little box you are a threat to the peace, and dangerous.  So you must hide what you are, hide within a faction.  Easier said than done.

                Our heroin Tris is raised in Abnegation with her family and is unsure where she belongs.  She doesn't want to leave her family of course but the life there doesn't come as easily for her, she doesn't jump in with the selfless action as easily as others.  Her test only confuses her more and when the time comes he chooses Dauntless.  A huge thing.  A complete 180 actually.  She starts her new life right away and is thrust into it without preamble, and Dauntless are tested immediately.  In the book and movie we follow her initiation, see not everyone will make the cut and if you don't you become factionless, basically the homeless who belong nowhere.  She, along with her class some of who are transfers like herself, must adapt and train to stay in the race under Four and the much more aggressive and boundary challenged Eric.  In a competition it is easy to make enemies which she does but she is also able to make a few friends in this dangerous new world.

                And then there is Four, a strong silent type that is oh so pleasant to gaze upon.  Tris, like all the females in my group, is drawn to him in some way.  He confuses her.  He's a bad ass but he also seems to be more reigned in than the others who take the 'Dauntless' thing to the extreme.  He's a trainer and clearly someone who finished top of his class but he doesn't stand beside the harsher things that develop as more brutality than honor. 

                There is something for everyone, even those who aren't avid readers and just want to see a film.  It has a ton of action from jumping on and off moving trains, war games, training, and simulations.  All of that was great for the story and was visually appealing and the stunt coordinators I give them props because it has to be hard to choreograph all of that action and make it cohesive and look legit.  Speaking of visuals, with both of our leads seeing them in the fear scapes/simulations.  Talk about a nightmare.  One minute you're fine the next…your worst fears.  And yes a semi spoiler but honestly it was in the trailer, someone is dive bombed and attacked by birds…clearly would have been one of my fears only the sadistic serum would probably have made mine chickens.  I can't remember if that happened in the book and I forgot or if I just blocked it for obvious reasons.  But I digress, everything down to the clear difference in the factions in terms of colors, style, even textures came across on the screen vividly. 

*Visuals

                Now as a book to movie adaptation, how does it stack up?  I think it did a pretty good job.  Clearly some of the more graphic/violent stuff had to be shot in a creative way and some things were left out in that regard.  Also some things were tweeked to fit, some things sounds great on a page but the translation might not work so well to the screen but it worked.  They left out the 3rd phase of the initiation, a major conflict between two characters that comes into play in the next book and makes one of the characters more sadistic psycho than teasing jerk, so I am curious how that will play out.  Also some of the lesser relationships and connections were there on the outskirt but it wasn't as clear, to those who hadn't read anyways.  And there wasn't much explanation about the tattoos which was a bit of a bummer because I liked there talks, and why Tris got the ones she did and the ones she's missing.  Though I did not mind Four explaining his to her as we got to see the impressive artwork over his very nicely shaped and defined back. 

                And the biggest change is the end.  Now don't freak, the end doesn't CHANGE the story just how it unfolds.  There was more Jeannie.  Now I read the whole series in December so they are pretty fresh in my mind and I was worried this would mess with the flow.  For me it seemed to up the ante, gave use more action and some satisfaction on one part (you'll know it when you see it).  Now this does change things for the next book some and I'm curious to see how this change in the ending with the other changes will reflect in Insurgent.  I'm excited to see it. 

                Overall I loved this movie, I've seen it 3 times and I can't wait to see it again.  I think it managed to be true to the book for us fans and also deliver a good movie to everyone else.  I give it 5 Zip lines.