Based on the trilogy by Veronica Ruth, the first installment of the Divergent novels hit local theaters March 21 making a wild success at the box office exceeding over $54 million opening weekend.

  Director Neil Burger captures this exciting trinity of novels on the silver screen.

  The film begins in post war Chicago, a future dystopia society governed in five different divisions or “factions” as they’re called in the film, each one being separated by distinct characteristics: Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest). Amity (the peaceful), Erudite (the intelligent) and Dauntless (the brave and fearless).

  Up and coming actress Shailene Woodley, best known for her TV role in “The Secret Life of the American Teenage” plays main character Beatrice Prior (Tris) captivating audiences as the girl who doesn’t quite fit into any “category” of society, yet she is still forced to make a choice of what faction she will strive to fit into.

     Being captivated by the bravery of the Dauntless, Tris chose her faction, one in which she was torn apart from her family because in this society “faction before blood” is what counts. Tris is then put through a series of physical and psychological tests that push her to new limits.

  The new faction she fights to stay in unravels mysteries about Tris that cause her to be a threat to society and their government. She views the world differently and has a “beauty that cannot be afforded”

  Her hunky co-star Theo James comes from across the pond making his debut in Hollywood playing “Four” Tris’s love interest and one of the Dauntless leaders. He makes for appealing eye candy and a strong addition to the story; James plays an intense and brooding character that ends up showing more dynamic as the film carries on.

  The film portrays similar themes to Hunger Games, living in a society that is run by only the elite governing over a lower class population that has no voice. There are conflicts of love, government and just enough action packed scenes to keep viewers interested.

  However, this film may have covered most of the plot but given how lengthy this film was, it didn’t completely depict the film accurately, missing small key details, and significant character connections.

  Overall this film still comes highly recommended weighing in at 4 out of 5 stars.