Equal parts Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and teeny-bop claptrap, Neil Burger’s Divergent is many things – but divergent is not one of them. Based on the best-selling Young Adult novels by Veronica Roth and starring new it-girl Shailene Woodley, the film conveniently fills the gap between soon-to-end Hunger Games and soon-to-come The Maze Runner, ensuring teenagers the world over have some way to spend their cash. But while its peers offer fresh, inspired moments, Divergent feels like a drab cut-and-paste job, slapping together the basics of every other YA story without any care for craft.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment is Woodley, who has the unenviable role of filling JLaw’s oh so charming shoes as our relatable heroine. But while Lawrence brought charm to Katniss, Woodley feels overshadowed by her character. She’s neither interesting nor believable as the everyday girl who just happens to be great at everything. If Woodley is destined for superstardom, there’s no glimpse of it here.

Of course, Divergent wasn’t made for me. I’m not fifteen. I’m not a girl. I’m not even angsty. But I do love a good story. And while Harry Potter dazzled me and Hunger Games entertained me, Divergent just left me bored.

– Nimy

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