"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2" Review
After a dramatic two hour trailer in Mockingjay- Part 1 that led up to this, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2 is finally here. While it’s predecessor was more of a political thriller, the finale delivers more on action. Unfortunately, the film’s closing act may be appreciated by book fans but leave film fans clueless.
After being attacked by Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is ready to kill President Snow (Donald Sutherland) with extreme prejudice. Of course, that’s perfectly fine for President Coin (Julianne Moore) who has plans to become the new voice of power once the smoke clears. Tired of the politics, staged “propos”, and being a puppet/symbol for the opposition, Katniss decides she’s not going to listen to Coin’s orders (no surprise there) to stay behind the danger zone and get into the Capitol to kill Snow by any means necessary.
With a hybrid elite crew of soldiers we know, and those that we’re just meeting, Katniss slowly moves toward the Capitol under the leadership of Boggs (Mahershala Ali), protection of Gale (Liam Hemsworth), and wildcard addition of Peeta. Getting to the Capitol will be no easy feat, as the blocks surrounding it are layered with traps straight from the games, they have to rely on a Playstation like controller to detect the traps that are mapped- and it’s an old map, leaving room for possible unknowns.
The fight to get to the Capitol is filled with action, and the occasional heartwarming conversation between soldiers willing to fight for one another, and the collective freedom of Panem. Unfortunately, there is a lot of allusion to the love triangle of Katniss, Peeta, and Gale that slows the film down. Rather than having a straight up conversation about it, Katniss fakes sleeping while the boys talk, Gale makes a comment about kissing Katniss being like kissing a drunk person, and other moments are made in a clear attempt to adapt the triangle from the novel to the screen. It’s cringeworthy.
Without giving anything away, once Katniss arrives at her destination, the film relies on the crutch it has seemed to be in a pattern of using. Something happens, Katniss wakes up, and everything is explained to us. It’s a poor way of storytelling that is undeserved for such an iconic female heroine that we’ve grown to love. Especially when the outcome would have been more earned and satisfying.
The ensemble amassed for the The Hunger Games series is quite impressive. Names like Jennifer Lawrence, Donald Sutherland, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson-- I could keep going but I think my point is made-- are a hollywood dream team. It’s part of the reason that for adults we’ve easily forgotten that the film is based off of Young Adult material. In that sense, it’s been a pleasure to watch. Unfortunately, Josh Hutcherson is out of his league, and in such a key role, brings down the film. While he’s had some growth over the past four films, he still looks like a fish out of water, and is a weak link that in retrospect should have been replaced.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2 is an action-packed, melodramatic bookend to a rather exciting series. Director Francis Lawrence deserves a lot of credit for making the world of Panem come to life. At no point do you feel like you’re watching a CG heavy film, but every setting feels real and every explosion has palpable weight, creating an immersive experience for the viewer. It’s just too bad that we get a final act away from the finish line, only to be tripped, and spoon fed an ending to a redefining genre film.
Rating: C+
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1" Review
It’s pretty shocking that “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” is such a suspenseful film. This time around there is less action and more talking. In fact, you could say that “Mockingjay Pt 1” is more of a political thriller this time around, and somehow it still manages to keep you glued to the screen.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is still the reluctant hero. She is broken from the games. She can’t sleep without having a nightmare. No matter how hard she tries to separate herself from “the games”, she’s pulled back in by the rebels who rescued her after she destroyed the Quarter Quell. The rebellion, led by President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), is now going head to head with the diabolical President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in a battle of propaganda campaigns to try and stir the remaining districts to action or submission.
After seeing her home, District 12 now reduced to rubble and human remains at the hands of the Capitol, Katniss decides to become the rebellion’s mockingjay as long as her fellow Victors in the hands of the Capitol receive immunity. The mockingjay will be the symbol for the rebellion. On the flip side, the Capitol has made Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) their symbol. As each side tries to get their message out to the remaining districts an interesting commentary on how we’re influenced by media in the real world comes to the forefront. Each side appeals to stopping the loss of life, but from differing perspectives. One side wants the freedom to live, while the other wants self-serving order at the threat of killing more people to achieve it.
It’s easy to forget that you’re watching a movie based on a Young Adult book because of it’s political commentary but largely because of its stellar cast. Jennifer Lawrence’s ability to move from female action hero to complex, layered and lovable around the way girl reminds us why she’s an Oscar winner. Liam Hemsworth gets to step up from Katniss’ side romance to a more meaty role as Gale. Whether it’s newcomer Mahershala Ali (“House of Cards”) or veteran Philip Seymour Hoffman (in his final role) the acting is top notch across the board.
“Mockingjay Pt 1” is a good time at the movies. It slows down the franchise in a way that allows it to nail the tone of unrest and anticipation of things to come. Although we could have done without the splitting up of the film, it sets things up for an action oriented showdown next year!
Rating: B-