Clichés. Some films avoid them at all costs. Others subvert them to surprise their audience.
Then again there are the kinds of films whereby clichés are gleefully thrown in the face of the viewers, perhaps in order to show them that they shouldn't take proceedings too seriously. Then there is 'Insurgent'. This film not only contains more cinema clichés than one can count, it also basks in their glory in a way that will leave even the most rabid fan wondering at the necessity of it all. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is on the run with boyfriend Four (Theo James). Blamed for inciting a revolution in their futuristic dystopian Chicago, the two become outlaws, fleeing the relentless Erudite leader Janine (Kate Winslet) who has taken control of their city. Simultaneously seeking refuge and revenge for their fallen comrades and family members, the two (sigh) insurgents, must come up with a way to stop Janine and restore order to their world.
There are actually several good things to be said about 'Insurgent'. Firstly, the film has Miles Teller and Daniel Dae Kim in supporting roles. Both do wonderful work and Teller in particular will have several audience members wondering why he isn't the main character. Dae Kim is also excellent as the confident and honest faction leader for Candor although his two excellent scenes are both frustratingly brief. Shailene Woodley is clearly also giving her all to this role, but the dialogue and aforementioned clichéd plot points frequently let her down, making it all the more difficult to root for her conflicted character of Tris.The pacing and cinematography of the film is also commendable. The film cuts along at a brisk trot that serves its setting and characters well, with several chase sequences that feature dynamic camera movements and beautiful lighting work. Unfortunately the staging of the characters within the frame is almost always awkwardly posed which leaves the actors floundering, desperate to create some kind of interest for the audience.
In addition, the film simply cannot overcome its clichéd dialogue, characters, plot and action sequences. The villains have terrible aim and their timing when crashing into rooms is almost always directly after the important plot has been spoon-fed to the audience. The usually wonderful Kate Winslet is saddled with some of the worst dialogue that's been uttered on film this decade and Theo James as Four simply has nothing to do but follow Tris around for the duration of the film's runtime.
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Existing fans of this franchise will be sated by the events of 'Insurgent', but newcomers to the series will be scratching their heads as they watch a rather talented cast burn through cliched dialogue and muddled action sequences. The occasional glimmer of stylish competence isn't quite enough to save this middling sequel. The power of the cliché, it seems, cannot be easily overcome.
2/5
'Insurgent' is in cinemas now.
This review first appeared on This Is Film.
