The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 Movie Review

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffmann, Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Sam Clafin, Jeffrey Wright, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks

Direction: Francis Lawrence

Genre: Action

Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes

 

Story: Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), who has brought an end to the games and stirred up a hornet's nest of unrest in the process, is now in District 13. It is headed by President Alma Coin (Moore). Plutarch (Hoffmann) and Coin tell a shell-shocked Katniss that she needs to be the face of the revolution (the Mockingjay) that will overthrow the Capitol.

 

 

Review: From the rubble of the 75th Hunger Games, it is only Katniss, Beetee (Wright) and Finnick Odair (Clafin) who end up in the relative safe haven that is District 13. It is also a hotbed for revolution. Katniss is clearly traumatized by what she has been through and has nightmares about her past experiences. Nonetheless, she is often reminded of her heroism and is told that she has (seemingly, whether she likes it or not) been the galvanizing factor for a mass movement among the people in D13.

 

Katniss is however more concerned about the fate of Peeta (Hutcherson), who she still loves. She is distressed to find out that Peeta is being used by President Coriolanus Snow (Sutherland) for propaganda purposes. Broadcasts are made from the Capitol showing Peeta tearfully denouncing the rebellion and urging the fighters to put down their arms. While many, including Gale Hawthorne (Hemsworth) denounce Peeta as a traitor and a coward, Katniss is moved to tears as she knows he is a victim of coercion.

Nonetheless, Katniss is being groomed to be the "best dressed revolutionary" according to her stylist Effie Trinket (Banks) who in a moment of blithe honesty reminds the former that "Everyone's either going to want to kiss you, kill you or be you." Katniss is taken to the devastated District 12, where it is hoped that the destruction she sees will enrage her.

The film is a buildup. Colours in D13 as opposed to in the colourful Capitol are deliberately drab and performances, restrained. This is meant to highlight the contrast between the two zones. While it is not as fast-paced as its predecessors, this is however, essential for fans of the series.