Release Date: Aug. 15, 2014

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Director: Phillip Noyce

Writing Credits: Michael Mitnick, Robert B. Weide, Lois Lowry

Stars: Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites, Katie Holmes, Odeya Rush, Taylor Swift

Our rating: B

On Aug. 15, 2014, best selling author Lois Lowry’s book, The Giver, was released as a movie. This movie explores the ideas of love, family and differences. Join the main character, Jonas, in this drama, science fiction and fantasy film to find out what really matters in life.

A teenage boy named Jonas lives in what is supposed to be a utopian society, a place with no war, suffering or differences. This seemingly ideal world also happens to be colorless. Although this way of life is normal for Jonas, he continues to keep his memories from before the new society. However, upon receiving his new job, his whole world is shaken up as an elder informs him of the pleasures and pains from the past.

Even though the idea of avoiding as much pain as possible sounds good, in this community, there is also no love, music or choice. The Elders of the society decide everything for Jonas; who he will marry, what his job is and who he receives as a child.

As Jonas starts receiving the memories from the elder man, he realizes how rigid the society is and decides that all of the good things of humanity outweigh the bad. He embarks on his journey of figuring out a way to bring back the things from the past.

In the end, this movie helps one realize how lucky they are by reminding them of all the great things in life. The Giver will leave one smiling and excited to appreciate what they have and live life to the fullest.

“[While The Giver was a good movie,] because both “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” hit the screen first, the movie version of “The Giver” — scene by formulaic scene, narrative cliché by cliché — can’t help but come off as a poor copy of those earlier pictures,” New York Times writer Manohla Dargas said.

The idea expressed by Dargas impacted the film by making it stale and a little over done. But if you liked the movie, make sure to read the book.