Movie Review: INSURGENT!!

INSURGENT

One Choice Can Destroy You

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet, Jai Courtney etc.

Directed: Robert Schwentke

Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi

Released Date:  March 20, 2015 (USA)

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 119 min

Goodreads

Insurgent is the second movie adaptation of the second book of the great and wonderful trilogy written byVeronica Roth, Divergent. Different from the Divergent movie, this movie is directed by Robert Schwentke. While the changing of the director makes Insurgent has some kind of different atmosphere from Divergent, I enjoy both directors’ works for this series. 

Contradictory to most of people (especially fans who have read the books), I kinda enjoy the movie as much, if not more, as Divergent. In my opinion, Insurgent involved more politics theme and more conflicts, allies and secrets which are the themes I really enjoy. I actually didn’t have high hopes for this movie because of the trailer, but I was kinda surprised I actually enjoyed it.

Most of the fans said that there are a lot of changes in the movie compared to the book. Since I read the book almost a year ago, I didn’t remember exactly the details but I still remember the big picture. Overall I think it was a great movie, I really enjoy watching it. The CGI and effects are really cool, especially the simulations. Another thing that I like is that in this movie (and also book) they go from faction to faction so we get to see the environment and clothings of every faction.The movie also explored more on how Tris feels about herself and how she couldn’t forgive herself although it did not mention about Tris trauma of holding a gun. Some plots that I remember from the book are missing here and there and some are just different from what I imagined but nothing really bothers me much except for one. And for fans who have watched the movie out there, you must’ve known which one. AND I DON’T KNOW WHY BUT IT’S BUGGING ME SO BADLY! It didn’t and never happens in the book! I also wish there would be more of Uriah’s story in this book because he’s a really cool character. Also, what about Zeke, Marlene and Lynn?

Theo James, as always, is still wonderful and still lookin’ good. Shailene Woodley did an amazing job portraying Tris even though that hair looks a little bit awkward sometimes. Miles Teller acting is actually quite funny in a good way and I guess that’s what they intend to. Movie Peter is so much more likeable than book Peter and I’m so totally okay with that. Some fans are complaining about the box not exist in the book but it did in the movie, but I actually like the box. It looks unique, antique and reminds me of National Treasure. I also like the ending because it was quite the same with the book (because the ending part is what I remember the most from Insurgent book) even though the very ending is not exactly in the book. The funny thing is I actually didn’t recognize most of these differences until I watch Sasha/abookutopia , did a review on it. 

The other thing that is kind of funny for me is that Evelyn looks so much younger than I thought she would be. I also wish that the scene where Tris stayed at the Amity would be longer. Anyway I like how they set the Amity faction because it is somewhat precise and DUH I want to live there. It’s really portraying what Amity really is about; peace. I really like the part where Evelyn talks to Tobias and how their relationship was in the book so I expected it would be exposed more. I also think that the music in Insurgent is not memorable enough compared to Divergent ( I Need You - M83! )

I didn’t feel as much emotion as Divergent and more of actions in this movie but for a movie adaptation it is a good movie. Most of the time, the second movie/book of a trilogy rarely stands out compared to the first and last book but this one, in my opinion, is good enough. I understand that movie and books are two different medias and so I think we have to deal with the fact that movie adaptation and its books will never be the exact same. Veronica Roth herself also said that Insurgent has the most complicated plot of the three books, and that the book-to-film changes make it so that the movie isn't just constantly explaining itself to the audience. She said that they found a way to keep some of her favorite moments in which are in the same place, happening at the same emotional peak, which really works. Ansel Elgort says, "It's a movie, and sometimes you have to make sacrifices to make a good movie. It can't always be exactly how the book is, because it might not work in a screenplay”

Insurgent is quite enjoyable and engaging (which, by the way, totally different from The Duff movie - YES I have watched the movie and NO I won’t review it). I would give this movie 7.8/10 star especially for its CGI editing. Though sometimes it can be overdone but I still think it was really cool. That’s all my review for Insurgent. I hope you enjoy this. Have a nice day, all Divergents out there! ;)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 32%

IMDB: 7/10

Metascore: 42/100

Trivia

Goofs

Soundtrack

Insurgent VR Experience (Shatter Reality) - click here for Android (available on some devices only) or here for iTunes (iOS 7.1 or later) but you need to get an Oculus VR or google cardboard to use the app

Watch Shatter Reality video

Source: IMDB, Hollywood Reporter, Rotten Tomatoes

The truth will set you free

[Short] Movie Review - The Beauty Inside

The Beauty Inside

Starring: Topher Grace, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Matthew Gray Gubler,Anna Akana, etc

Directed by: Drake Doremus

Genre: Romance

Released Date: 15 August 2012

Run time:  40 minutes

IMDB Ratings : 8.5/10

The Beauty inside is a tv mini series , developed by Intel and Toshiba. The movie follows the story of a man named Alex who wakes up everyday as  a different person, of any age and gender. Despite that, he’s always the same person inside. Then he meets a woman named Leah and falls in love with her. He know he will see her again, but she will never see him.

This short movie/mini series is directed by Drake Doremus. I think this film is very unique and innovative, told from a point of view from someone whose appearance always changes. He records the way he looks every morning which is very interesting because we can see how different he looks every morning and that makes me always think about what if I was in his shoes. We also get to see how difficult it is for him to have a real relation and friendships with other people. 

 

          This film doesn’t have much talk but it certainly tells the message it aimed to tell at the first place. It is very touching and quite emotional. I like Alex a lot because he , as the title says, has a beautiful soul inside. He’s very sweet and charming but he feels very lonely because nobody he knows or ever met recognize him and for that I feel very sorry for him. Leah is a very wonderful woman, she’s very independent and bright. I love both of the characters, I think they’re amazing. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and all of Alex actors, especially Matthew Gray Gubler is very brilliant in playing their parts. As I said, they didn’t say much but we can understand what they feel, which is quite bizzare but wonderful. 

          I know that this movie isn’t new but I think it is very touching and I just wanted to share it with the world because it deserves more and I hope that people would appreciate it. For this short movie, I would give 8.7/10 stars just because I hope it was longer! Very beautiful movie. Well it’s been a short review, I hope you enjoy this! 

You can watch the full movie down below

[P.S: Do you know that youtuber, Anna Akana is in this movie? ]

Book Review: Legend by Marie Lu

LEGEND

BY MARIE LU

Date Published: November 29th 2011

Published by: Putnam Juvenile

Pages: 305 pages

Goodread review: 4.19/5

Goodreads summary:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Legend is the first book of The Legend series by Marie Lu. I think this book is very enjoyable and compelling to read. The first few chapters is a little bit slow paced for me and I find myself slightly difficult to grasp the idea of this dystopian world and imagine what they look like, partly due to the fact that I just read other dystopian series a few days or weeks before. But the rest of the story is very entertaining and breathtaking. I love that there are so many aspects to this book such as mystery, action, politics and romance. I especially love how Marie Lu describes the system in the Republic. Even though as I said it took me a short while to adapt to the story, it is very easy for me to get into this world of Day and June.

There are two main characters in this book as the book was told from their point of views, which are Day and June. Day is a unique character that has his own reasons for doing the things he did. He comes from the poor sector and he’s a fugitive of the Republic. Despite that, he’s a very intelligent teenage boy. And slick too. He’s very much aware of what actually happened behind the ‘good old’ Republic and that’s why he hates the governments. June, on the other hand, comes from the wealthy sector of the country. She’s a prodigy with a perfect Trial score. Unlike Day, she has always put her faith in her beloved country and trust whatever the country says. 

The characters in this book are very realistic and well thought out. Day is easy to relate and likeable. I love how sassy he gets at some point. He’s very smart, charming and irresistible. The things he thought and aware at times is very spot-on. He easily became one my favorite character throughout the book. June started off a little bit obnoxious for me. Even though she’s a prodigy, she can be such a troublesome to the Republic. But never once has it ever cross her mind to betray or question about the whole system. Both June and Day are very smart and firm which is why this book is full of action, twist and unpredictable things. Their traits and personalities remind me a lot of Sherlock Holmes. The other character that I like is Metias, June's brother. He's very wise and I do wish that there was more story of him. The plot and mystery in this book itself is awe inspiring. It makes you keep guessing about what’s going to happen next. 

I really like how Marie Lu able to put some politics aspects to the story. The story in general is full of actions,secrets and dirty politics. The system of the Republic feels very real to me. I was very mad at some point I had to remind myself not to throw the book away, not because the book was bad but because of what happened in the story could easily happen in real life too! Anyway, it makes the book even more interesting to read. But I do hope that there would be more stories about the other characters and their background story in the second book, Prodigy.

Overall, I would give this page-turner a 4.6/5 star. Marie Lu is a very talented author and I have high hopes for this series. I hope that there will be even more character developments and lots and lots of unexpected plot twist in the second and third book, which I can’t wait to read! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Young Adult book, especially Dystopian and action.  Enjoy!