The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015)

Insurgent’s whole plot is a fancy box that only one person can open, which makes this a two-hour movie about a lock. Kate Winslet’s Jeanine wants it opened, so Tris gets strapped into a chair for one simulation after another. Those sims are the movie’s best and worst idea. In one, Tris chases a burning house through the sky, which looks cool and means nothing, since we know none of it is real. Shailene Woodley works hard, crying through every test, while Theo James mostly broods in doorways. Miles Teller’s Peter is the only one having fun, switching sides whenever it’s convenient and smirking the whole way. Octavia Spencer and Naomi Watts get a few scenes each and a lot of standing around. It made $297 million worldwide on a reported $110M, and it holds a 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. A 3.8 because the sims look slick and the story is a series of practice tests. $73.01 says you sort your coworkers into factions by lunchtime tomorrow, and you put yourself in the cool one.

What works: Miles Teller’s Peter brings some welcome sarcasm, and the simulation sequences have a slick, dreamlike look.

What doesn’t: The plot is a string of tests that don’t count, and the romance between Tris and Four never gets past brooding.

Who it’s for: Fans who read all three books and want to see the factions in action no matter what.