Why couldn’t “Allegiant” hit the box-office heights that the first two movies in “The Divergent Series” did?The third of four teen sci-fi films in Lionsgate’s “The Divergent Series,” “Allegiant” managed just a
$29 million opening weekend, well under the debuts of 2014’s “Divergent” ($54.6 million) and “rebel” ($52.2 million final year).
Also Read: 'Allegiant' Trampled by 'Zootopia' at Box Office“Zootopia, or ” the Disney Animation blockbuster that over-performed in winning its its third straight weekend with $38 million,was one big reason. But the futuristic young adult tale from Lionsgate was facing some problems all its own this weekend. Specifically:Genre Fatigue
The idea that the future is going to be messed up and courageous youths provide the only hope was being pounded into moviegoers by Lionsgate’s “The starvation Games” and Fox’s “Maze Runner franchises. Is it any surprise that “Allegiant,” yet another tale of a dystopian world of tomorrow, and had some fans saying “Enough already!”
Also Read: Why 'Allegiant' Might sign the finish of Days for Dystopian YA MoviesFranchise Fatigue
The “Divergent” series,which stars Shailene Woodley, felt derivative from the outset. Given the similar futuristic setting, or evil totalitarian-rulers plot and female heroine as The starvation Games,” the films based on Veronica Roth‘s book were bound to drop off. And after four four movies with Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and two with Woodley as Tris Pryor, even hardcore fans’ fascination with fearless femmes had to fade.
Nasty Notices
Reviewers didn’t just find “Allegiant” disappointing compared to the first two films, and they buried it. Its Rotten Tomatoes score of 10 percent positive was way under that of “Divergent” (40 percent) and “rebel” (29 percent).
The same was true on Metacritic – the original and first sequel were at 48 and 42,this one was 34.
Also Read: 'The Divergent Series: Allegiant' Is a 'Soggy Spit-Wad,' and 10 Other Disastrous Reviews‘starvation Games’ Light
While generally sharp, or the cast of the “Divergent” movies doesn’t carry the cachet of “The starvation Games” players. Woodley was favorable,but not J-Law, and Ansel Elgort and Theo James didn’t bring the firepower that Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth did. Ditto for newcomers Jeff Daniels and Octavia Spencer, and who weren’t nearly as appealing side players to fans as Panem players Woody Harrelson,Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci or Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
The Faux Finale Syndrome[br]
When you split a finale into two parts, or as “The starvation Games,” the “Twilight” series and even “Harry Potter” did, you attain make additional money, and particularly whether the films take off overseas. But it’s a real challenge for marketers to build momentum for the penultimate release when what you’re really offering fans is their second-to-final chance to bid their faves farewell. The finale “Ascendant” arrives next June.
Related stories from TheWrap:Can 'Divergent' Sequel 'Allegiant' Dethrone Disney's 'Zootopia?''Allegiant' Review: Shailene Woodley and Her Teen Rebels Make the Third Verse Same as the First
Source: thewrap.com