The “Divergent” movie series has been rattling along, making its money back without having anybody confuse it with super-blockbusters like “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games.”
“Divergent” did all right in 2014, and “Insurgent” did all right last year. They were adapted from Young Adult novels by Veronica Roth, and if the books have a stale post-apocalyptic premise, the movies lucked into catching some hot young stars on the upswing.
So here’s “Allegiant,” a film that corresponds to the final book in the literary trilogy. However, be warned: Sticklers for faithfulness in movie adaptations should know there’s another film in the works, “Ascendant,” scheduled for next year. So expect some loose ends.
We pick up the action inside the walled, mostly destroyed city of Chicago. The tensions between the population’s factions are still there, but tough teen Tris (Shailene Woodley) has emerged as a leader.
The rival leaders are whipping up populist anger by appealing to base instincts, but can no longer control their crowds. Yes, science fiction, a nice break from today’s headlines.
Tris attempts an escape, along with her beau Four (Theo James), estranged brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort), and pals Peter (Miles Teller, from “Whiplash”) and Christina (Zoe Kravitz).
Everybody wants to know what’s beyond the wall. Turns out there’s a radioactive no man’s land, save for the gleaming new city built by a leader called David (Jeff Daniels), which seems like a strangely bland name for a titan who controls his world with an iron fist.
For the most part, “Allegiant” scoots along, pushing the plot and leaving little time for the relationships to develop. Tris and Four get a couple of tame kisses, but there’s not much reason to care about that.
You get the feeling lots of material ended up on the cutting-room floor — or maybe got left in the book. The actors range from ineffectual to not bad, with veterans Naomi Watts and Octavia Spencer providing ballast.
Woodley has a good focus and a strong physical presence, although her voice seems to belong in another, less serious movie.
For all its faults, “Divergent” has the virtues of speed and a pretty nifty design. Director Robert Schwentke (“Red”) creates some imaginative vistas: blasted landscapes soaked in crimson, huge ruined buildings sticking up like dinosaur bones.
Seems like they could’ve wrapped this one up in three movies, given all the action here. Let’s see if the audience sticks around for an extra installment next year, or whether this series outwears its welcome.
“Allegiant” 2 ½ stars
Part Three of the “Divergent” Young Adult series, with teen heroine Tris (Shailene Woodley) escaping from post-apocalyptic Chicago and discovering new challenges in the outside world. The movie’s nothing special, but it scoots along and creates some fun sci-fi landscapes.
Rating: PG-13, for violence
Showing: Alderwood Mall, Cinnebarre, Everett, Marysville, Stanwood, Sundance Cinemas, Thornton Place, Woodinville, Cascade Mall, Oak Harbor
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
