A Mediocre Fare, but Woodley Shines!

Rating: 6/10 (24 August 2014)

Based on the novel of the same name by Veronica Roth, 'Divergent', despite being ambitious, is a mediocre fare, at best. A predictable storyline, along-with an excessive running-time over a 140-minutes, take away its glory, in totality. But Shailene Woodley makes for a worthy leading-lady & delivers a knock-out performance.
'Divergent' Synopsis: In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.
'Divergent' is visually brilliant & some of the action set-pieces are absolutely stunning. But, the storyline & the narrative are so been-there-seen-that, that I wasn't engrossed after a point. While the first-hour moves on a slow-pace, the second-hour gathers momentum & offers a good climax. But overall, the result is just about average.
Evan Daugherty & Vanessa Taylor's Adpated Screenplay has a few aces, but they aren't many. Neil Burger's Direction offers grandeur. Cinematography is top-notch. Editing isn't crisp. Art & Costume Design are superb. Graphics are outstanding.
Performance-Wise: Woodley shines & steals the show. She's in terrific form & leads the film's stilted narrative with a knock-out performance. Theo James has the tapping's of becoming a fine actor. He's impressive. The always-excellent Kate Winslet adds a streak of delicious menace, despite limited screen-time. Zoë Kravitz is natural. Miles Teller is perpetually irritating. Ashley Judd is first-rate.
On the whole, 'Divergent' is a so-so fare. Watch it for Woodley!