Movie Review: The Giver 2014 *Knowing Can Change Everything*

Intriguing title… I just wondered what this would be about. (I get that curious most times). So I decided to check this movie out. The trailer I had seen before going to watch this movie was quite….should I say boring or not promising. Either which way i was still willing to spend 97mins of my time to see this Sci-Fi Drama with an intriguing title…… Here are views on it.

The Giver…plays out a story based on a book by Lois Lowry, about a perfect world were everyone is happy without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice. A young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man (who happens to be the community’s holder of memories) about the true pain and pleasure of the “real” world that includes sadness, war and all the unhappy truths of human nature. Confronted by this new reality this boy is introduced to, he faces difficult choices about his own life and the future of the entire community.

I know you are bored already…..Yes, I agree the whole story sounds boring and almost clearly something most people wouldn’t be interested in. Unless you are a Movie freak like me.

This title starred Jeff Bridges, Meryl Steep, Alexandar Skarsgård, Katie Holmes and Brenton Thwaites(Oculus & Maleficent).Not the usual widely known cast or fan favorites that most people look out for when they go see a movie. But they did deliver and I can’t think of anything bad about the way they embodied the characters they played. Oh…how could I forget the small cameo role from one of my sweethearts Taylor Swift.

For something that was based on a book I feel it was too cliché making a movie like this… especially at this time when there are already a few Science Fiction franchises building ground. Yes… from the start of the movie all I could think about was The Hunger games and Divergent. The first few scenes with the narrative from the lead role Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) had so much of feel of those two movies I mentioned. It exuded another futuristic perspective very quiet similar to those two movies. Then I was beginning to wish I wasn’t going to watch this movie…. but then I had already started and I just had to see my self through…. hoping for something unexpected to make The whole experience worthwhile.

I noticed that the movie started in black and white… confusing. A future in black and white? I thought it was a technical error or something of that sort…. But later on as I followed the story I got to understand the reason for this “Futuristic” story starting in black and white. Yes, the use of black and white with color later on did add a layer of depth to this story. In my books that was well played. But sadly enough those who might not be paying attention to the movie as it unfolds might not get this. The main story line of the movie or should I say the book itself is not something easy to figure out. (Paying attention makes everything simple). It wouldn’t be a good Scifi if it was plain and easy to understand. 

Yes… I said GOOD. To my own surprise I ended up enjoying this movie more than I anticipated I would after the first few minutes in. Think about all the human emotions and imagine life without them. You would only understand me better after you have watched this movie. That is why I would rate it an average 5/10 which I think is fair.

I didn’t like the romance that was fused with the story though… not that I have so much disdain for love stories… but this one seemed too awkward for me. As much as I agree it also added some depth to the story I just didn’t like it. Evidently this movie can’t be compared to The Hunger games and Divergent and can’t even stand toe to toe with them… but it did pack a little smidge of action to climax it which I feel was a thumbs up considering how otherwise boring my 97mins would have been without it. Everyone likes a bit of action. I In this case too much of it would have been unnecessary. I would love to read the book this movie was based on someday though.

I would certainly recommend this movie for anyone who wants to kill sometime provided that they are willing and ready to pay attention (Otherwise what’s the need) as the story unfolds.

If you don’t like to pay attention this one is most definitely not for you.

You would love this movie….. Regardless of how boring it might seem. Take my word for it.

Besides … I feel this title gives off a very thought provoking message….