It's not often you can say with confidence that a film is better than the book.
But for Divergent, that's exactly the case.
Fans may be peeved that the filmmakers didn't follow Veronica Roth's novel word for word, but the changes actually make the film a pleasant surprise.
Directed by Limitless' Neil Burger, it's based on book one in Roth's trilogy, and on first appearances alone, there's definitely a feeling of familiarity.
It's a YA novel adaptation, set in a dystopian, divided future earth, where a young, strong-willed female protagonist must embrace what makes her different as lives are threatened.
It's easy to see why many hailed Divergent as the next Hunger Games.
While it doesn't reach that height, it is a fairly enjoyable watch, if a little too long and stretched out at 139 minutes.
One of the reasons Divergent works, is the casting - particularly scoring Shailene Woodley in the starring role. She showed she could make teenage angst believable and heart-warming in The Spectacular Now.
Woodley plays Tris, a young woman living in a post-apocalyptic grey Chicago where society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to a virtue: intelligence, bravery, peacefulness, honesty, or selflessness. But Tris learns she is Divergent, meaning she doesn't fit into a faction. And for some reason that makes her dangerous.
It's an interesting concept, executed without the schmaltz onscreen, although it can feel a bit plodding.
There's the expected love interest, with the mysterious tattooed Four (Theo James), but their relationship doesn't feel forced or awkward here.
And alongside the young stars, Divergent also boasts a support cast including Kate Winslet, Ashley Judd and Aussie Jai Courtney. After a slow build, the fast-paced end does feel quite sudden, but Woodley in particular gets to show off her acting prowess when things take an emotional turn.
Purists may baulk at the slight alterations, but Divergent is better off thanks to its divergence from the book and despite its similarities to various other YA adaptations, it's quite entertaining.
* Divergent releases in Australian cinemas on April 10
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