"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1" premiered last weekend for the final installment of the Hunger Games series. Despite the cult-like following that the series has accumulated, viewers could very likely leave the theater feeling unsatisfied with first half of the trilogy's final movie.
The film split its finale into two installments a la fellow young-adult fiction film series "Twilight" and "Harry Potter." But unlike those films, "Mockingjay" did not have enough detail to warrant the two-part split.
The film relied on mostly rising action and was largely a set-up for what might be more exciting bits in the second act of "Mockingjay." The entire movie was limited to showing how Katniss is shaped into the perfect "Mockingjay" and preparing Peeta's rescue from the Capital. Some scenes captured the essence of the Panem rebellion. The love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale held strong, but it wasn't enough to hold interest throughout the movie.
Not even Jennifer Lawrence's performance could avail the entire film. Lawrence was outstanding in channeling the traumatic effect on Katniss after the destruction of District 12 and the Peeta's capture. Unfortunately, Lawrence failed to embody the Mockingjay. The scene in which she attempts to symbolize the Mockingjay could not raise spirit in the viewer. Rather, the scene felt very scripted and uncomfortably awkward.
The movie included new characters from District 13, including president Alma Coin, played by Julianne Moore. Moore accurately portrayed the hardened president and the hidden antagonist of Katniss. Much of Coin's character is left uncertain and the importance of her role will most likely progress in the second installment.
The major plus of the film being split into two was that it allowed the director to stay faithful to the books. Many scenes were close, if not exact, in following Suzanne Collins's novel. The film provided a lot of details and was able to linger more on the storyline. The rising of the rebellion provides a heap of action-packed excitement for viewers.
The big drawback of the movie is that it paled in comparison to previous Hunger Games, especially "Catching Fire." However, this is to be expected for split films. The "part one" portion is always the build-up to the climax. Little is to be expected out of such a film as the major action and enthusiasm is saved up for the second.
Overall, "Mockingjay" should have never been split into two movies. The film would have fared better in one great, three-hour picture. Moviegoers likely would have left the theater feeling content with sitting in a longer, exciting epic rather than being teased by the major foreplay in this shorter, simpler film.
More Like This
Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
By Meagan Blakesley | Nov. 22, 2015
In Columbia: Most Hyped
By K'Shanna Fludd | Oct. 17, 2014