The newest young adult novel to hit the big screen is Veronica Roth’s Divergent, the first installment of the best selling trilogy. The movie received mixed reviews that were based upon a if-you-read-the-book basis.

Being a fan of the trilogy, I was more than excited when they announced that it would be made into a movie but when it came time to sit in the theater I realized that I shouldn’t have set my hopes so high. Like any book to film adaptation Divergent had its ups and downs and over all the movie was decent.

The story is set in a dystopian Chicago where Beatrice (Tris) Prior, portrayed by Shailene Woodley, lives is based upon putting people into different factions based on their personalities. If someone has an aptitude for more than one faction they are labeled as divergent and considered dangerous to the government. The main characters of the novels are this type of outcast. Like most teenage novels there are new friendships formed and new enemies made throughout Four, played by Theo James, and Tris’ journey but nevertheless the book is wonderfully written by Roth.

Roth’s corrupt society was very believably created in the film adaptation. The movie began with an overview of the post war civilization and it felt as if you were entered a different world. It was obvious that there was time spent on little details, such as the Abnegation neighborhoods and the wardrobe of the different factions, that added to the ambiance.

The cinematography of the movie was well done because through the use of different camera angles the plot intensified and felt more personal. The audience felt like they had an inside look as if they were standing right next to the characters and were in their conversations.

As for the casting, the actors and actresses really embodied the characters as they are in the books. Even though I had the physical appearance of the characters pictured differently while reading the books, they won me over in a matter of minutes. I only had a few complaints in regards to the acting in the movie. One was simply me just being a picky book fan because they left out one of my favorite characters and the other was that I didn’t necessarily feel the chemistry between Tris and Four like I did in the book. Other than those minor details I enjoyed seeing the characters develop on screen through life’s events. And I thought Kate Winslet was brilliant as the evil Erudite leader Jeanine.

The thing that bothered me the most in the movie was the removal and addition of different scenes. At times it seemed unnecessary to add things that in the actual plot in the book would never allow. However, after reflecting I can understand the reason for them. They added more suspense and drama for those who haven’t read the book. The scenes that were removed during the adaptation were some of the more gory and violent ones and with the amount of teenage violence already in the film anymore might have been too much for younger audience members.

My favorite aspect of the movie was the score and soundtrack. The music was perfectly integrated at the most appropriate times and helped convey the emotion of the scene. The soundtrack contains a perfect mix of all genres that includes songs from Ellie Goulding, Snow Patrol and Woodkid.

As someone who anxiously awaited the release of each book in the series I was somewhat disappointed in the movie but, it was partially my fault for expecting too much from it. My advice is to wait to see it until it comes out on Netflix or RedBox so you don’t have to spend $10 and enjoy it for what it is, not something you’re expecting it to be. I’d give it a 7/10.