While it doesn’t feel any less derivative compared to the first film, “Insurgent” benefits from [Robert] Schewntke’s trademark visually expansive and action-packed direction and the breakneck pace in its screenplay.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 28, 2024

Actors like Winslet and Watts have far too much talent to waste it here, whereas the script doesn’t allow for the talented younger supporting cast (namely James and Teller) to deliver much beyond one-note characterizations.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jun 21, 2022

While the film is an improvement on the book and features decent FX, it is tiresome to see so many high profile stars in underdeveloped roles while essentially repeating the plot of Divergent. Woodley makes this bearable, but she can't save it

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 26, 2022

Insurgent falls short from its predecessor. It's heavy-handed themes lend themselves to overworked storylines and the lack of any true impact.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Oct 9, 2021

Did all young-adult science-fiction authors of the last decade get together before writing their novels and determine to start with the same basic plot?

| Original Score: 4/10 | Dec 4, 2020

A bit more action-packed than its predecessor.

| Original Score: 2.5/4.0 | Sep 12, 2020

Its biggest weakness is its inability to stand out from the pack, resulting in a story that feels bland and lifeless.

| Original Score: C | Jul 16, 2020

For good or ill, with all kinds of murder, jumping on and off of moving trains, and hallucinatory fever dream, this is definitely a spectacle to behold, one that will leave you baffled, wondering what the hell you just watched.

| Original Score: C | Jul 6, 2020

Insurgent surges with unparalleled exhilaration.

| Dec 8, 2019

Insurgent is better than it's predecessor, Divergent, but that's hardly a compliment. It struggles to tell a messy story that even it's clunky, expositional dialogue couldn't help make sense.

| Original Score: 4.9/10 | Nov 13, 2019

Maybe we are all getting Dystopia Fatigue, but I need more to care about if i'm going to wade into this level of despair.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 5, 2019

The plot's a bit stretched out, but good performances and the series' impressive production value mean it's a serviceable stopgap before the real action of Allegiant.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 14, 2019

If you're able to push aside the confused machinations of the larger plot during the scenes of flashy violence, you may be able to find a bit of enjoyment in Insurgent. Beyond that, there isn't much nice to say.

| Original Score: 4.5/10 | Mar 14, 2019

Insurgent seems to indicate that the studios are content to simply go through the genre motions with this one. Whatever promise was offered by the first film is largely gone, leaving the franchise to plod to the finish line.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 20, 2019

Will I see them both? Probably. I'm a completist, so I want to see this storyline to its conclusion. Do I recommend that others embark upon the same journey? Probably not. I'm not that mean.

| Jan 30, 2019

It's a step in the right direction, but I'm still waiting for the film to deliver on its promise.

| Original Score: C+ | Jan 23, 2019

Insurgent is the halfway mark of a series, and, despite the dazzle, it failed to deliver the excitement or intensity that the first film (however naïve) promised.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Dec 11, 2018

Sadly, the better-than-okay performances cannot salvage Insurgent from being dull beyond recognition.

| Apr 23, 2018

All just a tad bland, predictable and yawn-inducing.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Apr 11, 2018

The romance in this movie is SO bad.

| Mar 2, 2018