For those unfortunates forced to sit through Insurgent for reasons beyond their control, it’s wise to undergo a refresher course in Veronica Roth-speak before entering. This deeply repetitive sequel adaptation of Roth’s YA series features a category-driven societal structure, where civilians are divided up into sections including Abnegation, Amity, Candour, Dauntless and Erudite. People who don’t fit into any category are ostracised and labelled the Factionless. Those who fit all categories are Divergents. Those who can keep these pretentious categories straight are known as Thesauruses (presumably screenwriters who churn out ropey screenplays are called Hacks).
Shailene Woodley reprises her role as Tris, a Divergent hiding from corrupt Erudite leader Jeanine (Kate Winslet), who has unearthed a box containing secrets of the universe, and needs Tris to open it with her mad non-conformist skillz, yo. Note that the clever ones who read a lot are also inherently cowardly and corrupt. Smart girls looking for a good role model: go elsewhere. There’s no room in the Strong Female Character trope for book-learning, too.
Inconsistent director Robert Schewntke (R.I.P.D, The Time Traveller’s Wife) creates some solid action sequences as Tris enters subconscious-revealing simulated worlds, which force her to scale burning buildings floating over a decaying Chicago. But with the emotional content and visual presentation of the challenges feeling far too reminiscent of Neil Berger’s first instalment, they don’t provide thrills. Instead, the viewer is merely left with a confusing sense of déjà vu. Equally, the characters have not been developed. Tris simply reprises her journey towards self-acceptance, which will undoubtedly be rinsed and repeated for the next two (sigh) instalments.