Review of Insurgent (2015) by Johnny T — 24 Jul 2015

Despite its earnest tone and unremittingly solemn performances, the entire movie feels like a simulation, devoid of lifelike detail or tangible dramatic stakes. The final Divergent book will be split into two movies, a future that is indeed a little dystopian. Much brighter, though, are the blossoming careers of Woodley and Teller. The performances are fine. Everyone is solid, though they're not asked to do too much. You know you're in for a long haul when Kate Winslet's clipboard-wielding Jeanine, leader of the Erudite faction, comes off less like a Hillary Clinton than a weary Applebee's supervisor at the end of a 14-hour shift in this plodding sequel to "Divergent." It doesn't make any sense, but Insurgent demands its audience play along anyway. The problem is, the film doesn't do enough to earn viewers' trust, or reward it once it's given. The film is essentially one long fight with occasional scene changes -- they're on a train! Rooftop gunfight! Fisticuffs in the hallway! A good premise is dumbed down and poorly executed by a director who doesn't seem to understand how to make his narratives genuinely interesting. Shailene Woodley gives it her all, but Insurgent is still a resounding step back for a franchise struggling to distinguish itself from the dystopian Young Adult crowd.

VERDICT: "Not So Hot" - [Negative Reaction] These films are truly terrible films. They are not the worst things ever made, but they are definitely awful and should not be seen by anyone. (Films that are rated 1.5 or 2 stars).