In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she’s Divergent and won’t fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it’s too late. imdb (but really not that accurate)

So we had a second long weekend last weekend and my husband and I decided to go out for a meal and a movie after work. Cool.

It was the first day of screenings for Transcendence with Johnny Depp. We both love Johnny Depp. Cool.

Screening at 6.50 so plenty of time for food before. Extra cool.

Then the very flustered girl at Dendy told us there had been a problem with the website and the program for Dendy Newtown had been advertised as the Canberra program and she was not having a great day explaining that to patrons. She explained that Transcendence actually started at 6.30. Still, no problem. We looked at the tickets, read the 6.30 start time and agreed that we could make it.

We returned to the cinema in time, wandered in with the other patrons, albeit a little surprised that the film should be showing in one of the small cinemas on its first day out. We were then impressed when a large group of teens sat in front of us – hope for the future and all that when youngsters want to see what should be quality sci-fi.

Then the film started. It was Divergent, not Transcendence!

Easy mistake – and we had looked at our tickets after all so we decided to stay and make the best of it.

I am so very glad we did.

I had not intended to see this film as I had already dismissed it as a Hunger Games wannabe. It is certainly not something my husband would have volunteered to see. We were both very pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it!

Neil Burger, the director, is known for his excellent adaptations of books and short stories (The Illusionist, Limitless) into impressive, original films without the benefit of a large budget. His version of Veronica Roth’s debut novel looks amazing and is an entertaining, gripping story. I hope the book is as good because I am going to have to read it now.

I had seen the shorts with Shailene Woodley as Tris and wondered if a girl in a faction called ‘Abnegation’ would actually wear that much mascara but now I reckon she can wear as much as she wants. A seasoned child and teen actress (and so very good in The Descendants) she is excellent as Tris. She is awkward but fearless. Her lack of strength never comes across as pratfalling or obvious weakness, just as an opportunity to improve herself. She is both believably intelligent and understandingly unsure.

She is really very well supported by Theo James (the Pinterest boards will start to melt over his heroic yet quiet character ‘Four’ in 4, 3, 2, 1 …go). He lets the audience in a bit – but leaves more to be discovered in the sequels. Yes, dear readers, that is the only problem – another trilogy, another final installment broken up into two movies. Sigh.

I did not really think character actors of the calibre of Kate Winslet, Mekhi Phifer, Ray Stevenson or even Miles Teller would be brought on board for just one film. Add Ashley Judd and Tony Goldwyn to that list and the cast wages start to mount up. Australia’s own Jai Courtney (A Good Day to Die Hard, Jack Reacher) is the character you love to loath so we can look forward to more of him too.

Still, I will happily return to this dystopian future set in Chicago. A wonderfully decaying and jerry-rigged Chicago that incorporates enough real world landmarks for anyone who has been there to recognize where they are. Another reason we two oldies enjoyed this teen film.

Although the last few moments are a bit ordinary I am quite glad we got to see this well made, entertaining movie.

I wonder if I will ever get to see Transcendence?

Roslyn saw this film as a guest of Dendy Cinemas.

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHH!!!!!!

May the 4th.

May-the-4th-be-with-you and I have other commitments on both days on the weekend of Dendy’s Star Wars Marathon.

I can’t go to the exclusive screenings at Dendy of the three prequels on Saturday or the three classic instalments on Sunday. And The Empire Strikes Back may be the best movie of all time. I guess my blaster and Leia robes will stay in mothballs for another time and I will just have to cling to my original edition Darth Vader figure for comfort.

But if you do go – please Instagram or Facebook some photos on to the HerCanberra pages so we can all enjoy the fun??

Pretty please?

Thanks, Ros