Review of Allegiant (2016) by Chee-Hahn H — 11 Dec 2016

Primed with a worldwide fan base from "Divergent" and "Insurgent," with charisma between the two romantic leads and believable, compelling characters, how could "Allegiant" possibly fail? In hindsight, the "Divergent" series worldwide popularity has largely been due more to the genuine teenage authenticity delivered by one of the most talented artists of the millennial generation than to its ludicrous science fiction storyline. She propelled the "Divergent" series into a worldwide sensation and somehow managed to keep this teen dystopia series much more captivating than its shallow premise deserved. "Divergent" was her vehicle to stardom; "Allegiant," supposed to be the vehicle to cement her as a bona fide icon, instead is where she stalls.

While there are some things she does well in "Allegiant," it is eclipsed by all that goes wrong. She perfectly nails the conflicted bitterness between Tris and her brother, Caleb with a poignancy that artists her age are not normally supposed to be skilled enough to do. She can make an actual teen romance within the confines of the fantasy /science genre convincing and compelling, a difficult feat that has eluded far more famous artists (as seen with the utter lack of chemistry in "Harry Potter's" Hermione Granger - Ron Weasley pair, or the tepid "Hunger Games'" love triangle - where by "Mockingjay," it is embarrassingly obvious Katniss Everdeen has outgrown teenage romance ever since her playbook became lined with more important silver).

Ever since she got the equivalent of Willy Wonka's golden ticket and inexplicably became an overnight mega star with "Divergent," she's been living in the shadow of her radiant "Hunger Games" rival. She doesn't have the graceful precision of Hunger games rival, but, like a jack in the box, instead unpredictably meanders with prolonged tranquility interrupted by sudden, chaotic violence which has become her "Divergent" trademark. There is no one else, her age, who is as exceptionally adept at portraying teenage neurotic insecurity lined with a trace of ruthlessness. With gestures, glances, and inner turmoil, she is able to captivate without resorting to dialogue or fasted paced action. Comedy has never been her forte, and whether with the tragic guilt of watching someone in a coma die, or reminiscing about her character's Descendants, she is still the most talented person, her age, at character driven dramatic teenage relationships. She can capture the genuine naïve wonder of enjoying a first ever fizzy drink or plane ride without a hint of sarcasm or corniness, which would be magical if "Allegiant" was about an insecure teenager with terminal cancer finding love in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, "Allegiant" is not a character driven drama about a timid high school senior in an emotionally abusive relationship with an alcoholic popular kid living only in the "now," but a science fiction action adventure ATM engineered to print more money than "Mockingjay.".

As "Allegiant" progresses, it becomes increasing obvious that even though the science fiction action adventure genre is where she has made her fortune and fame, this genre is not where she naturally fits. The actual "science fiction" is so ludicrous, the "action" is so awful, and the "adventure" is so nonexistent that it's a shame that the "Divergent" Trilogy is what her reputation will forever associated and judged by. The most painful aspect of "Allegiant" is seeing my favorite extraordinary talented twenty-something, who I know is capable of so much more, sully her reputation, working with one hand behind her back, hampered by the nonsensical plot of this career damaging science fiction hack. As "Allegiant" anticlimactically concludes, I hope that Veronica Roth can move onto more serious works of - oh wait, I forgot a "trilogy" has "Four" parts!