You're welcome. For that picture. I mean seriously. Theo James's back. *fans self*
Anywaaay.... I went to go see Divergent last weekend with my husband and I wanted to share my thoughts on it. People are saying that it was better than The Hunger Games (to be clear, they do not mean Catching Fire). I tried not to let that hype get my hopes up because I'm very wary about movie adaptations. But I'm not going to lie, I went into the theater extremely excited.
When they first cast this movie, I was extremely upset. I am not a huge fan of Shailene Woodley and wasn't sure if she could pull off playing Tris. And while Theo James is insanely hot, he wasn't my Four. He was too old looking for me and just wasn't anything like the Four in my head. Of course, he grew on me because, hello? Theo James is f***ing hot! ............ Sorry I just got distracted staring at that picture and thinking about the sound of his voice. Stop tempting me, Theo! I'm married!
Despite my trepidations about the casting, I think that both actors did a fantastic job of embodying their characters. Shailene Woodley shocked and impressed me. She truly captured Tris's essence and I loved that. And Theo James was amazing as Four. He was better than the Four in my head. I also felt like the rest of the casting was done perfectly. Christina was perfect. Uriah was perfect. Will. Peter. Eric. Al. Everybody just really fit their characters.
However, although the casting was well done, I thought that the secondary characters were not developed at all. If you hadn't read the books, you would have no idea who the secondary characters were. Trust me, I asked my husband and he had no clue who each of them were. It made the impact of certain events really decrease because you didn't fully realize what just happened. Hopefully that makes sense. I'm trying not to spoil anything.
There were changes. I'm not going to lie. It did not follow the book exactly. There were quite a few changes actually and as a die-hard fan of the book I was disappointed with some of these changes. Like the fact that there was no mention of Dauntless chocolate cake ever. *sad face* However, even with the changes I think that this movie still captured the spirit and the essence of the book. It was Divergent. There was no doubting that. And that made me happy. So I think I liked this one for the most part. It was no Catching Fire. But it was also better than many other adaptations I've seen including City of Bones. So go see the movie! I think that most of the book fans out there will enjoy it. And I think that people who haven't read the books will enjoy it. It provides something for everyone.
Have you seen the movie yet? What did you think?
I loved the movie, I thought it was so well done! And yes…Theo James. Thanks for the picture! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the secondary characters, but it was understandable because they chose to focus on Tris and Four. The movie would have been a couple of hours longer if they included a lot more of the book. But yeah, if you hadn't read the book you wouldn't even know Christina was dating Will.
It seemed like all of the key scenes were there (even though they changed them sometimes), except for some stuff involving Peter. And obviously the ending was a lot different as far as who was there, exactly how what happened happened, even though it stayed true to the main plot points, which did not happen in City of Bones.
And yes, Shailene Woodley and Theo James did an incredible job with their characters! I don't think we have to worry about the rest of the books not being made since it was number 1 in the box office (56 million I heard!) So that's exciting! Now we have to wonder whether they're going to stick with the plot of Allegiant…this is one time I'm hoping they don't!
Glad you enjoyed the movie! ~Pam
Yes, I totally agree. The movie would have been much longer if they had focused more on the secondary characters (and it was already 2 hours!)
DeleteBut the key scenes were definitely there although I did feel like they changed a lot of stuff, but it still felt like Divergent you know?
I know! I was so excited to hear how well it did! Insurgent is already green lit I believe and they are going to start filming in May. I agree about Allegiant, but I don't think they will change it. Generally speaking, I feel like by the third one they are pretty true to the book. And I also feel like movies get better and better as they move through the series so I'm hoping Insurgent is even better than Divergent was.
Couldn't agree with you more. When casting was announced, I started with some lowered expectations because I'm not a fan of Shailene Woodley. She has yet to really impress me. She did carry off a decent Tris and I admit I may even start to kinda sorta like her after TFIOS comes to theaters. And I, too, was concerned about a 29 year old as Four. But ahh, steamy Mr. James made me quite happy. Shockingly, the cast was really great. And I'm not sure if you caught it, but Veronica Roth makes a quick cameo in the zip-line scene. I was so excited to spot her I think I may have announced it to the whole theater!
ReplyDeleteAnd for all the film critics out there who insist on comparing it the Hunger Games, it's not and it's not supposed to be. I'm pretty sure Veronica Roth was not trying to recreate Suzanne Collins' franchise. Of course, the production company would like to recreate its success, and it looks like Divergent is a money-maker, so mission accomplished. Anyway, I'm dropping another $13 and going to see it again today! -Dana
What??? I totally missed that! Damn! Now I have to go see it again so I can spot her! Yeah, that's what a lot of people are comparing it to and I just want to shake them and say "it's not the Hunger Games! It's not going be exactly like the Hunger Games!" But I think they did a pretty good job with it and I have high expectations for Insurgent and Allegiant now.
DeleteIf you try to find her...Roth's appearance is very brief. Just as the initiates get to the top of the Hancock building to zip line, the door bursts open and she is the first to walk out. Blink, sneeze or reach for more popcorn and you might miss it. -Dana
Deletehaha thanks, I will totally watch for her next time I see it. Which might not be til it comes out on dvd but I want to see her!
DeleteI saw it yesterday and I was really impressed. I think that if you didn't read the books, it would have taken you a bit to figure out what was happening (my friends constantly confused the factions). Also, no one seemed to hate Peter as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteShailene definitely blew me away! Her acting was amazing. When she confronted Al, that she called him a coward and whatnot. You could actually SEE the tears in her eyes. I was amazed.
And then the scene with her mother... *sobs* it felt much more emotional than in the book because it wasn't shown that way in the book.
Veronica Roth makes a cameo and I literally yelled "OHMYGOD" in the theather. I got a lot of dirty looks, but I don't care, lol. I was so excited to see her there :)
I'm definitely buying this movie once it comes out on DVD. It's worth seeing again. I think it can be compared to Hunger Games (NOT Catching Fire), because in terms of world-building, it is quite better.
Yeah, I agree, if you hadn't read the books there were some parts that would have been extremely hard to follow. But I do think it was better than some other YA adaptations in this respect.
DeleteI know. I was so shocked at how well she did! Yeah, she was very emotional, but I believed it you know?
I didn't realize she was making an appearance and I totally missed it. :( Guess I'll have to go see it again. Yes, I agree that it was probably as good as Hunger Games. Which hopefully means that Insurgent will be Catching Fire caliber!
THEO EFFING JAMES. sorry I'm a little obsessed with him. Just a tad. God I love him so.....oh what I'm supposed to be commenting about this aren't I. :) I loved it! Maybe bc I read it awhile ago I didn't remember the details as well so I didn't notice the changes as much. I thought it was such a good book to movie adaptation! And I didn't think about it at the time since I knew all the secondary characters in my head, but you're right, they kind of blend in the movie. I thought it still worked out well though!
ReplyDeleteAnd Theo. I admit I have watched quite a few interviews with him bc I can't get enough of his accent and voice and omg everything. Haha. I was supposed to go see it again with a friend today but it didn't work out -- hopefully we'll go soon bc then I can flail over Four without any qualms. (Saw it first with fiance and I TRIED to not obsess over Theo as much. Haha)
I KNOW!!!! He is so effing hot. I went with my husband and I tried not to fangirl, but I couldn't really help myself at certain parts... Phil just sat there rolling his eyes at me. But I couldn't help it! He's so damn sexy!
DeleteI totally agree! Not better than THG/CF but enjoyable. I wasn't a diehard fan of the books and the movie kind of solidified that fact for me, actually haha. It was good, but I wasn't fangirling over it like I had hoped I would.
ReplyDeleteI liked Shailene and Theo! Although they weren't my original choices either, I think they did a great job too and the casting really was excellent. I TOTALLY agree with the fact that they didn't play up the secondary characters enough. Christina a little bit but the whole thing with WILL and how the second book starts, you know, and THAT WAS THE HARDEST PART OF THE MOVIE FOR ME. That and her mom. I SOBBED.
I didn't notice all the changes but I did notice a lot and luckily I went with my friend who had JUST read the book for the first time so she told me how everything was different haha. I don't think all of them were necessary but eh, oh well. It did still capture the essence of the book but still no Hunger Games for me!
Yeah, definitely not as good as THG/CF. There were a lot of changes that I felt weren't really necessary. The ending was completely different from the book which disappointed me. I mean, it was a pretty badass scene, but still...the book lover in me was cringing from how different it was.
DeleteThe scene with Tris's mom...I sobbed. Shailene did such a great job in that scene. I was a mess.
Overall, I really liked it though! It wasn't perfect, but with how much it grossed opening weekend I'm hoping that the next two will be even better.
I agree with a lot of the points you made. My overall thought was that it wasn't the best adaptation I've seen, but it was good and a great movie. I was interested to see how Shailene and Theo would play out Tris and Four and I felt they did a brilliant job as well! While some of the secondary characters weren't what I pictured them, I felt that they fit the characters well. I was all around impressed with the character embodiment from the actors.
ReplyDeleteThe most important part I thought they left out was Edward's getting stabbed in the eye. While he's a secondary character and it's not important to the plot line, I thought it really showcased how dangerous of a situation Tris was in.
I also missed Roth's cameo and I was looking for it. lol. I'll have to look closer next time I see the movie.
Overall I loved the movie and can't wait to see it again. And I can't wait for the second one!
Yes, I agree. The casting was very well done and I was pleasantly surprised at the level of acting we saw. Normally that's my biggest problem with adaptations. Bad acting. But not in this one. Everyone did a fantastic job!
DeleteYes, I agree. I think that it showed how dangerous Peter was as well and I feel like without it, we didn't get a great idea on how much of a psycho he is. And he continues to play a part in the rest of the series so not sure how they're going to move forward with developing his character.
I was so mad at myself that I missed it! I can't wait for the second one either! I'm hoping they get better and better. :)
Oh, I felt the same way about Shailene Woodley being cast, so I'm glad to hear she does a good job! I was really worried she just wasn't right and it would ruin it for me. Maybe I'll go see it now!
ReplyDeleteYes, I felt the same way. But she did such a great job! She totally captured Tris.
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