Well Acted Movie, but Predictable Plot

Rating: 5/10 (31 March 2014)

Without having read any of the books in the series, I can't make any comparisons to how closely or loosely the movie follows. However, I don't know if I necessarily need to read the books, as I walked away seeing comparisons to multiple other dystopian works, both books and movies.
First, I will get to what I thought worked about the movie, and without a doubt I would say it was the acting. For the predictability of the overall plot, I walked away really believing that the characters came to life. I could feel for Tris as she tried to hide her true nature while just trying to survive. I could tell that Four had a connection with Tris that was on a deeper level than most movies aimed at a young audience can deliver (just look at Twilight). The concern that Tris and Caleb's parents showed not only for their children's safety, but also for the survival of their own faction, was evident. And the continual tension between family loyalty and faction loyalty felt real.
The plot however, as I already alluded to, seemed to me pieced together from other works of dystopian fiction. The "savior" who thinks independently, as well as the scenes of intense training the guardians of the status quo go through seemed reminiscent of "Equilibrium". The idea that a serum could control the masses, as well as hordes of people living beyond the bounds of society, seemed a lot like "Brave New World". The monitors that could track everyone seemed to me like "Nineteen Eighty Four", whereas the factions themselves seemed reminiscent of the districts of "The Hunger Games".
Overall, I would say this piecemeal of a movie was powerfully acted, but I walked away believing that I had seen it before. I would also say however that I hope that the sequels can maybe break the mold of what dystopian fiction has become.