Film No. 22 (2014) Divergent April 2nd.

Film No. 22 (2014) April 2nd. 6:30 PM READING Belmont.

Divergent.

Young adults being placed in highly stressful situations has been a popular theme in our cinemas over recent years. The Hunger Games set the pattern and now comes Divergent; another story of a world (Chicago immediately after war) in the near future where young bodies and minds need to be taken very seriously.

This mini epic of a film has reconfigured the inhabitants left standing into factions; the peaceful, the honest, the intelligent, the selfless and the brave form the divisions. We meet Tris (Shailene Woodley) who, along with her brother, has been raised selflessly but must now decide for herself her own factional path. She chooses the path of the Brave and all is not what it seems.

A great idea don't you think? Well I agree, unfortunately 140 minutes of this great idea is spent exploring cliched romance, buddy and fight scenes. A tried and tested path and one which should help to sell much popcorn.

Sharlene Woodley who is fast becoming flavour of our time (The Descendants and The Spectacular Now) has presence and Theo James (Four) teams up to make for an attractive mix. A good idea but nothing new. 6GUMS