Insurgent

Insurgent is a decent follow-up in the Divergent series, keeping up the action and world-building while introducing new conflicts. The plot moves at a solid pace, but it sometimes feels like it’s setting up something bigger without fully delivering on it. There’s a clear act structure, but some moments lack the depth needed to really hit. Certain character arcs, especially in terms of growth and decision-making, feel a bit underdeveloped, which makes some story beats feel forced rather than earned. The directing keeps things engaging with a mix of intense action and emotional moments, though the execution doesn’t always match the ambition. Shailene Woodley carries the film with a strong performance, making Tris a compelling lead even when the script doesn’t give her much to work with. The supporting cast is solid, though some characters, particularly Miles Teller’s, make choices that don’t fully make sense. Visually, the cinematography and VFX are well done, especially in key action sequences where the effects shine. The score and sound design do a great job of elevating the tension and giving the film a more immersive feel. Overall, Insurgent is entertaining with good performances and visuals, but it struggles with depth in its storytelling and character development.

After their initial "Divergent" experience, the gang are still trying to stay one step ahead of the pursuing "Janine" (Kate Winslet) and this makes for perilous times for "Tris" (Shailene Woodley) and her two hunky sidekicks - brother "Caleb" (Ansel Elgort) and lover "Four" (Theo James). Now I could think of worse people to be on the run with as they traverse the wreckage of Chicago trying to find some allies to assist them in thwarting the dominant aspirations of the "Erudite" group who want to take over the world. To add to their woes, the menacing spectre that is "Eric" (Jai Courtney) is leading their would-be captors and so battle lines are quickly drawn. Except, well, they aren't really. This is a predicable and weak story made watchable by a sufficient soupçon of eye-candy and some perfectly choreographed, CGI augmented, action scenarios that do at least keep the pace moving for what did seem like a long-old two hours. There's some yellow duplicity from "Peter" (Miles Teller) to inject a little jeopardy, but that's all a bit of a damp squib when subsumed into the rest of this underwhelming adaptation of a series of novels that really did leave better to the imagination than Robert Schwentke has managed to concoct for us here. It's harmless fun to watch on the television when you're doing the ironing or writing your thesis on thermonuclear fission - it's not really worth watching for itself, though.

Fugitives on the run now with really no factions in place any more. The movie was kind of boring but had a decent ending.