Metacritic: 48 out of 100 | User Rating: 6.0 out of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: 41% out of 100 | 71% out of 100
Box Office | Domestic: $151 Million | Global: $137 Million | Totaling: $288 Million | Budget: $85 Million
This film although (relatively) financially successful was received with mixed reviews. The basic concept here is that humanity has been placed into five specific and restraining categories of society to prevent war – categories people choose for themselves and then are tested horrifically at a very young age. Which by definition is the very thing that causes deeper separation, leading to war in the first place. If the children, let’s be clear, do not make it during their initial placement to their category they’re banished to destitution. Yet another scenario that would eventually lead to an imbalance in societal numbers that would lead toward uprising and (again) war.
I couldn’t help but try and understand if the writer of this book decided that the concept which would define her universe should be based on an observation of what defines the Harry Potter universe. Instead of magic it would be the sorting hat. Rather, the sorting process. So much attention in this first film was given to the separation of the individuals to the aspect of society they will belong to, giving the added twist that the choice is perceived to be at the hands of the individual. This film lacked a lot of substance and for a science fiction flick abused the dystopian concept, yet again., allowing for little to no sensible belief in the premise of the story. There are other films planned in the franchise due to the general financial success of this one, however, I’m curious what aspect of the Harry Potter universe it will attempt to herald in its next outings. Not to mention (even though I just did) that it also takes from the pages of The Hunger Games as well, which is another mega-successful film franchise whose audience this film desperately wants.
Personal Ranking: ★★ (Passable)
Originally published October 28, 2014. Updated April 15, 2018.
