Pretty Good Sci-Fi Story

Rating: 7/10 (6 August 2014)

The war is over and now when one becomes 16-yrs of age, one must make a decision as to which group to belong to: Abnegation (selfless), Amity (peaceful), Candor (honest), Dauntless (brave) and Erudite (intelligent). These Factions, as they are called, are designed to maintain peace so war won't happen again. Tris (Shailene Woodley) leans toward Dauntless, but she really doesn't fit in there. She is Divergent (free thinker, non conformist) and Divergents are considered dangerous and may be put to death. This can't be good.
I believe we have found another Katniss as Tris (Shailene) reminds us of another HUNGER GAMES kind of thing. I will admit that in the beginning when they showed Tris, I saw Katniss. See? There are some differences: no bows and arrows, no killing of children. The children in here undergo intense initiation training that can kill them if they are not careful enough.
But, make no mistake about it, this is still a dictatorship under the guise of peaceful Factions. Their mantra is Faction before Blood. The real culprit that this dictatorship wants to control and eliminate is: The Human Condition. Can you believe that? Who makes this stuff up? (dictators is the answer)
As we looked to Katniss to affect change, we now look to Tris to do the same. But, this won't be easy. She doesn't have a bow and arrows. Oh, oh How can she do this?
Most of the movie shows the training of Dauntless hopefuls and some of it is hard to watch. This training focuses on individual fears and how the candidates perform when confronted with his/her greatest fear.
In time we get to see a love story, sort of, and hope for the best, of course. We watch Tris try to qualify and not be dropped out of the program. But, to be fair, it's the love story angle that keeps us in our seats. We know it's there, however, that aspect takes a long time to crystallize, but we are a patient audience and believe we will be rewarded in time.
The fight scenes and acting all around are very good. Besides Shailene as Tris another standout is Theo James as Four who comes across as a very strong character. There was a little joke in the beginning when Four announces his name and one of the candidates says to him, "Four? Were 1, 2 and 3 already taken?" We are told that the candidates are only to speak when spoken to. So right here we know the candidates will be in for a rough time of it.
The rest of the cast performed well and Ashley Judd as Tris' mother, Natalie, does a credible job.
Seems most of the candidates have to have tattoos and we can only hope they are washable.
Over all a pretty good Sci-Fi story.
The ending leads us to believe there will be a sequel or sequels. Can't wait, can you? (7/10)
Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: Soft stuff and not much of it.