'Divergent': Veronica Roth’s paperback or Neil Burger’s film adaptation? 📔🎥

It is often that the original paperback is better than their film adaptations. It’s most definitely not an easy feat to create a movie that would please everyone, those who have read the book as well as those who hasn’t. There’s just so many factors to keep in mind of, the actors/actresses, their acting, special effects, costume designs and screenwriting, in order to be on par with or even surpass the quality of the book. But does this trend apply to ‘Divergent'?

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About 🤷‍♀️❓

In a dystopian and post-apocalyptic Chicago, society has been divided into factions based on their personalities, virtues and strengths: Abnegation, Erudite, Dauntless, Amity, and Candor. At the adolescent age of 16, Beatrice Prior has to decide which faction she belongs to. She chooses Dauntless- the brave. Upon the discovery about her true identity, a Divergent, Tris uncovers a looming war which threatens everyone she loves.

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Ratings: ⭐️

Movie

· iMDb: 6.7/10 stars (441,996) · RottenTomatoes: 3.8/5 stars (139,801) · Amazon: 4.5/5 stars (8,756)

Book

· Goodreads: 4.2/5 stars (2,800,742)

· LibraryThing: 4/5 stars (5,854)

· Amazon: 4.6/5 stars (26,076)

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Differences:

Tris and Four’s relationship 👫❤️

Throughout the story, Four and Tris gradually become closer as they spend a lot of time together and this soon develops into a relationship. There were much more romantic moments that occurred in the book, like the flirty scene with ‘Drunk Four’. In the movie, their relationship progression seemed a bit rushed, they barely knew each other but still fell in love and ended up together. However, it’s understandable as movies move at such a fast pace, which didn’t allow that gradual bond.

Four’s age 👦🏻

In the novel, he’s just 18 years old. However, Shailene Woodley decided to change it to 24 years old due to Theo James’ older age and more matured appearance. Other than that, the age increase does lend credence to his faction status. Theo James himself spoke upon the issue, "for him to have that experience as a leader and as someone of high skill that as he is ... I think it makes more sense that he's been there a bit longer."

What a hottie!

Peter isn’t as intimidating 😠🤬

As described in the novel, he seems to be ruthless and vicious, even going as far as stabbing Edward in the eye with a butter knife from the dining in an act of jealousy to secure the number one ranking. Regardless, some (including me) preferred the witty version of him rather than the original as he acts as a comic relief, adds a hint of humor to the move and makes him a more complex villain.

Tris’ mother’s visit 👩‍👧

On visiting day where all the families were able to see their children in Dauntless, Tris’ mother visits her. However, in the movie, there was no such day and she had

to secretly meet Tris.

Capture the flag 🚩🏃‍♀️

Rather than Christina grabbing the flag first, because Tris was already the ‘hero of the day’ due to her successful ambush plan, the filmmakers changed it to both the girls getting the flag together and sharing the glory. The tension between them was avoided, which missed out on how the Divergent could be threat/ how the people could feel threatened by the Divergent.

Tris’ mother’s death 😭

Her mother sacrifices herself in the book version by running out in the open and shooting aimlessly to distract the mindless Dauntless soldiers so that Tris could pass by unseen, whereas in the movie, she got shot and couldn’t make it while running together in a fire fight. I felt that the alternative death was much more emotional as Tris had to watch her own mother die in her arms.

The final showdown 🤖🔫

At the end of the movie, Four managed to shut it down by himself before the Abnegation people were killed. In the film, Tris forcefully injected Jeanine with the serum and commanded her to shut the system down. I felt the intimate Tris/Tobias fight scene was better in the book than how they adapted it in the movie, but I can also see how Four simply turning off the simulation might have felt anticlimactic for moviegoers. Watching the villain fall gave viewers a bit more satisfaction to the ending.

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So... who's the final victor? 🏆

Personally, I’m more of a movie than a book person. I’d say it was a close run, however, I'll have to give my vote to Neil Burger. The directors did a fantastic job choosing the main actors/actresses of the movie. They showcased an amazing performance as their characters. I can’t imagine anyone else playing these roles. Despite some of the differences between the movie and the book, the adaptation still portrayed the book almost perfectly. I can see why some parts were left out/ altered. The movie is undoubtedly a ‘must-see’ in theaters. I just felt so pumped and was at the edge of my seat the whole time. I can’t wait to watch the next sequels! The story has enormous potential, and depending on these next sequels, the trilogy can become a legendary science fiction action film.

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