THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT PART 1

...including the cast. As much as they try to hide it, the fatigue displayed by the leads was clearly not just an aspect of their characters. Shailene Woodley and Theo James put in solid performances, as do the supporting members of the cast. Special mention to Naomi Watts and Octavia Spencer, who manage to create far more in-depth characters than the script provides them with. The same can’t really be said for Jeff Daniels though it’s no fault of his; he simply had nothing to work with. Lazy scripting let down many characters here. Miles Teller is a decent actor (just don’t mention ‘Fantastic Four’) but here, he’s only annoying. Given the job of making ambiguously motivated Peter into the comic relief, Teller probably would have succeeded had he been left to his own devices. His comic talents are hinted at but drowned out by the dismal lines he’s fed.

Another large issue is that it’s just a tad boring. It all moves along at much the same pace, and the climax doesn’t exactly live up to its description, being too similar to the final conflict in the other films. Again, had the book been one movie, this problem would probably not have existed. There’s a lot of material to work with in the novels, and unfortunately, the film has focussed on aspects that would have been best ignored in favour of others. As a result, the premise behind the city’s existence and the organisation in control of it is all a little muddled. Like the scripting, the editing is lazy. There are scenes that are either too long, or simply pointless; one in particular involves a long-winded depiction of a decontamination shower. The special effects are interesting but mostly unnecessary, and the score sounds like a budget remix of the soundtrack from ‘Tron: Legacy’.

However, Theo James is gorgeous, some of the action isn't a complete waste, and the technology of the world outside the wall is intriguing. If you liked the other two instalments and can overlook their many shortcomings, it’s not a terrible way to spend an afternoon at the movies. Just try to go on a Tuesday when the tickets are cheaper; but if you're not a fan, don't bother.