Insurgent

Improvement, however slight, can be detected asDivergent morphs into Insurgent onscreen. Theres less exposition, more action and a discernible spark in the acting that was missing before. But lets face it, the trilogy of young-adult novels that Veronica Roth cooked up to rivalThe Hunger Games never loses the stale odor of also-ran. The Divergent Series, to be completed by carving two films out of Allegiant, the third novel, isnt being goosed by inspiration try box-office gold.

Its too bad. Shailene Woodley, who never gives less than her all, again plays Tris Prior, the films Joan of Arc. Tris is a divergent, meaning she doesnt fit the molds set up by Jeanine (Kate Winslet), who rules the dystopian futuristic society that is a walled-in Chicago. You know Jeanines the boss because shes the only one in skyscraper heels.

As Insurgent begins, Tris foments rebellion in the company of Tobias Eaton (Theo James), a fellow divergent who goes by the name of Four because he fears only four things, sequels not among them. James, a solid actor, mostly glowered in the first movie. Here he busts loose, shows his vulnerability and runs afoul of a new enemy, Evelyn (Naomi Watts), the mother who abandoned him as a child.

Yikes. Dont want spoilers for those not among the 32 million who bought the novels. It seems odd that a movie that celebrates divergence would conform so rigidly to formula. Theres a new director, Robert Schwentke, in for Neil Burger, and a whole new army of screenwriters, but everyones still connecting the dots. The film peaks with a series of tests for Tris that play like a gamers fantasy of virtual reality. Surprise is lacking. Ditto humor, though Miles Teller (Whiplash), as a thorn in Fours side, gets in a few fun licks by not staying on the films draggy tempo. Otherwise, Insurgent stubbornly fails to surge.