Movie Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1

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Coming from the background of not reading the books and only watching the movies, Mockingjay has always been referenced as the least favorite of the books. With the first film really exceeding my low expectations and Catching Fire making me think that the previous director, Gary Ross, wasn’t the key to the film adaptation’s success, I figured that director Francis Lawrence could maybe improve on the what fans of the book said was a bit of a disappointing novel. Especially since the decision was made to divide the final novel in half.

This entry seems to pick up a little after Catching Fire. Katniss and Peeta have been separated. Peeta is still at the hands of the Capitol. While Katniss, wanting to rescue Peeta, is living among the survivors of District 13 and various members that are trying to form a rebellion with the other Districts. Using Katniss as the head of their propaganda videos to fuel an uprising against President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and the Capitol, the rebellion gains steam by unionizing the other Districts to strategize attacks against the Capitol.

The strength in the past two entries to The Hunger Games franchise have made the wise choice of adapting a novel and not just gearing it towards young adults. Sadly, with this third entry, you can feel the strength of the story is losing steam. Not only that but the film now teeters the line, if not completely plunging into, being a melodramatic soap opera purely focusing on Katniss’ drive to get Peeta back.

The film feels like it is going through the motions. There are really no set pieces other than Katniss being dropped in to see the ruins of other Districts with a crew of assigned young rebellions equipped with cameras to film genuine propaganda videos and rebels carrying out missions. The film feels stretched thin. While it is funny to see Effie, played by Elizabeth Banks, get readjusted to more of a modest wardrobe and lifestyle, this may be one of the very few things that really seem to give any titillation. Even Jennifer Lawrence, who really showed us a strong character in Katniss Everdeen, seems to be phoning it in. When a hospital is attacked while Katniss is on the ground, she gives what should feel like a very emotional speech to the cameras – which will later be used to drive the revolution – yet, it feels dead in the water. The most effective piece in this film is during a mission to capture Peeta from the Capitol. It is a well executed action sequence.

The film doesn’t end on a drastic cliffhanger like you think it would, which is surprising. However, on the page, it should be one of those plot points that should make us wonder if we can wait in anticipation. I’m glad I don’t have pull out my hair stressing out for a year to see how this story ends. Let’s just hope that Part 2 can be a bit more thrilling and treat the material like a grown-up film. Then again, maybe the book that the film is based on is the main problem.