Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson, 20th Century Fox, M 103 Minutes.
In South Korean director Jennifer Yuh Nelson’s first live action sci-fi film there is a similar theme to that used in ‘Divergent’ even ‘The Hunger Games’ with both based on young adult novels and set in a dystopian future.
It soon becomes clear that a mysterious illness has wiped out millions of the country’s children leaving some survivors with a wide range of super-human powers that are considered too threatening by the government.
It is against this background that 16-year-old teenager, Ruby (Amanda Stenberg –‘Everything, Everything’) finds herself being taken by armed guards to a government facility to determine if she belongs to particular colour grouping – orange being considered most dangerous.
Using her extraordinary hypnotic and mind control abilities, Ruby manages to escape with the help of Cate (Mandy Moore –‘47 Metres Down’) finding refuge in the company of three special youngsters with their own specific abilities.
The companions include Zu (Miya Cech making her movie debut) who has the unique ability to control electricity; Liam (Harris Dickinson –‘Beach Rats’) the leader of the group with telekinetic powers; and the highly intellectual computer whiz-kid, Chubs (Skylan Brooks –‘Southpaw’).
As it turns out, the safe haven they arrive at is headed by none other than Clancy Gray (Patrick Gibson –‘Their Finest’) the son of the current President (Bradley Witford –‘The Post’) – the person instrumental in setting up the internment camps.
But after settling into their new environment as Ruby later discovers, not everything is what it seems, especially the real intentions of their host Gibson in using her mind control powers.
Despite having directed such highly-popular animated movies as ‘Kung Fu Panda 2 and 3’, Nelson has now crafted an intriguing storyline adapting the first of three Alexandra Bracken novels (as part of a trilogy) to the big screen.
By choosing a cast of young actors to portray the lead characters, including rising stars Stenberg and Dickinson, Nelson is hopeful that their performances, coupled with the enjoyable action scenes displaying their powers, will enable her to direct a sequel.
Time will tell if the heroine Ruby will get her chance like Katniss in ‘The Hunger Games’.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 Stars
