I looked up some Netflix reviews of those 3 movies and you could be on to something there, but it won't stop me from watching them myself.
A Netflix review of Divergent
As an introduction to a series it's better than "The Hunger Games". "Divergent" is a nice little coming of age flick that feels bigger because it features some expansive nightmares and Kate Winslet as a baddie. But 'Divergent' succeeds largely due to Shailene Woodley as "Beatrice" and Theo James. Overall, Divergent is familiar fare, but served up by a cast that is fiercely dedicated to the material. Roth's novel imagined a post-Apocalyptic world where survivors created a society that has a firmly enforced caste system. When Beatrice chose the paramilitaristic faction (called "Dauntless") I was prepared for a film to go brawn, and go dumb. Instead we mostly follow Beatrice as she makes friends, begins to crush hard and debates family members. The setup is so tapped into standard youthful fears (tests determining who you are, the unknown first sexual experience, having multiple interests when you are told you should only have one strength) that Divergent is essentially a really good high school movie. Whether or not that continues in the next film doesn't really concern me, although the likelihood of more booms and swoon is probably strong since the enemies are the intellectuals and the heroes are the brawn that ditched their social service upbringing. But, perhaps I'll continue to be pleasantly surprised. [JPT 2014]
A Netflix review of Transcendence
Best if you have never had a science class. A computer virus and a biological virus are two different things. Having a computer virus in your body that can crash a computer is like having your heart run on C++. Too dumb to stick with for the rest of the story, which falters and hiccups along a path to someplace like Area 51- except built underground under a solar electric field (which is an obsolete idea for the past 18 months). Poor Johnny Depp works underneath the wrinkly bleary makeup and using a strange accent to make his character believable, but you can sense that even HE does not believe in this character, so he comes off wooden. We decided it was best to not tell anyone we saw this because it seems designed to appeal to the mullet crowd. Splashy visual effects like a video game. Acting as in G-I-Joe. Story like a 1988 episode of Dr. Who. This is a 2-star movie moved up to 3 because of the many excellent supporting actors, like the gothy girl terrorist who lives underground in a steel cell.
A Netflix review of Captain America and the Winter Soldier
Black Widow (to Alexander Pierce) "Sorry if I stepped on your moment." I've been looking forward with great anticipation to seeing this follow-up to "First Avenger"...and after seeing it today I can tell you that it doesn't disappoint...if anything it is better! The plot and the screenplay are both faithful to the Marvel comics characters; and the story - while just as unbelievable as in most comic book actioners - is totally within the purview of Marvel reality...the fans of Marvel and of Captain America should love it. Chris Evans continues his fine characterization of the Captain; as does Samuel Jackson, as Nick Fury...and there are a couple of outstanding additions to this one. Scarlett Johansson is an inspired choice for Natasha Romanoff, "The Black Widow". Although we've seen Johansson in this role in "Iron Man II" and in "The Avengers" she brings the Black Widow character to fruition in this film, as the Captain's primary sidekick. Anthony Mackie is also a great addition as another sidekick, Sam Wilson, "The Falcon"...the first black super hero, both in comics and on the big screen. Also look for a fine outing from Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce, a corrupt leader within S.H.I.E.L.D....first time I've seen Redford as a villain. Romanian actor, Sebastian Stan also excels as the Captain's primary antagonist, "The Winter Soldier"...who turns out to be someone from Steve Rogers' past. There are also several bright lights among the support cast, who I suspect we'll see in the next iteration...including the characters played by Cobie Smulders, and Emily VanCamp. The computer generated special effects are as awesome as always...made even better if you watch it in 3D. If you're a comic book actioner fan, you don't want to miss this! - CIBOLO - 4-4-14
