Released on Friday, March 18, “The Divergent Series: Allegiant – Part 1” (also simply known as “Allegiant”) is the third and penultimate installment in the Divergent series franchise. Based off of author Veronica Roth’s dystopian New York Times bestseller, director Robert Schwentke transformed the book into a rich motion picture, infatuating its moviegoers with bulky action, suspense and tremor. There was simply no time for popcorn refills and bathroom breaks.
From Insurgent, the previous film to Allegiant, viewers recall that the faction system is simply an experiment created by a larger authority to escape a mysterious, ominous problem. With duty and determination, Tris and Four team up with their closest friends — Christina, Tori, Peter and Caleb — to go on a mission that begins by crossing the Wall that encircles Chicago — a place that is foreign and forbidden. For the first time ever, Tris and her team leave the only city and family they have ever known in hopes of fixing their fractured city.
Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of confounding new truths. Tris and Four must quickly discern who their friends and foes are as a battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris is forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
The movie’s first enthralling action scene preps the audience for how dangerous and important the trip really is. With the meticulous planning of Tris and Four and brilliant execution by the team, they stand on the very wall defining Chicago from the rest of the vast, broken world — but with the abrupt loss of one invaluable teammate.
Throughout the entire movie, the comradery of the five friends (or rather, four) is exemplified with the brilliant casting of Allegiant. Starring Shailene Woodley as Tris and heartthrob Theo James as Four, the love and loyalty between the two Divergents is put to test, but is all the while burgeoning under trials of trust and separation.
As for the humor segment of Allegiant, leave it up to Miles Teller as Peter and Ansel Elgort as Caleb, Tris’s clumsy, ex-traitor brother who opens up to be a viable character in the plot’s conflict. Allegiant’s funniest moments come from these two characters, each with their own dynamic persona and character.
The producers of Allegiant incorporate stunning visual effects to enhance the setting and environment of the distraught, dystopian world. In the beginning of the movie, color is strategically used to define the strikingly bleak landscape of the desert with its craggy earth and blood-like pools of water. The futuristic society revolving the majority of the movie is wondrous and astounding with its disk drones, modern aircraft and cutting edge infrastructure. On top of all the movie’s special effects, co-star James swept the wide screen with daunting stunts and combat.
In the end, Tris, Four and her friends conquer the inevitable, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats. Allegiant left the audience tense, crazed and stupefied. And once the dreaded credits began rolling, viewers had to unwillingly snap back to reality and realize that it’s all fiction.
Until next time, for the fourth and final installment in the Divergent series, “Ascendant,” which is slated for release on June 7, 2017.