I CANNOT believe that the last movie in the Hunger Games franchise is now in theatres. I just cannot believe it. I still remember like it was yesterday when I saw the first movie on the silver screen back in April 2012. That is a freaking 3 and half years ago. And shortly after that I started reading the books. I read Mockingjay a bit over 3 years ago, but it feels like a blink of an eye. First symptom of adulthood. Urgh.
Anyway, about that film. Sunday morning, opening weekend, I thought I'd play is smart as I usually do. Going to the movies bright and early. Avoiding the annoying crisping noises of crisp bags and annoying teenage girls who starts giggling everytime someone kisses in the movie and think it hilarious to shine their smartphone torches in each others eyes. I'm all about commenting a movie, but that usually restricts to a laugh out loud or a "what the hell!?". Luckily they fell quite halfway through the movie, because that is exactly what Mockingjay part 2 does. It makes you go quite.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2
2015
Director: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin,...
Lenght: 137min= 2h 17min
Genre: Sci-Fi, adventure, YA
Part 2 picks up immediately where part 1 left off: Katniss healing from her injuries after her first encounter with Peeta after he's been rescued from the Capitol. Meanwhile the rebellion escalates and they are preparing to invade the Capitol. Katniss, still as stuborn as ever, is reluctantly the face of the rebellion and needs to make an army out of these angry slaves. All the while, she has set her mind on a special mission and is determined to see it through. And in the meantime president Coins true intentions become clear.
There is absolutely no denying in the fact that this movie is rather slow pasted. They take their time to explain certain situations, the way our tiny human brains work. If you were expecting a fast past action movie, you were probably in the wrong theatre. SPECTRE is your best bet if you're looking for something like that. In my opinion, there was absolutely no lack of action or violence. It is exactly as Suzanne Collins describes in her books. That is something you don't see often. A book translated to the silver screen, almost to the exclamation mark. The Hunger Games introduced us to the world of Panem and explained how the political system works, Catching Fire sparked the rebellion and Mockingjay part 1 was all about the propaganda. Finally, in Mockinjay part 2 they make the call to action.
The one thing that absolutely got me whilst reading the books, and now by watching this movie, was the fact how realistic the story is. Well, maybe not the put-children-in-an-arena-and-let-them-fight-to-the-death aspect, but the whole concept of tyranny, the urge for violence. And how, meaning to get rid of one tyrran, having it replaced with another sort of tyranny. With all good intentions and purposes, but still a tyrrany. The psychological aspect in this franchise, specifically in the last two movies, is not your typical sci-fi/adventure pictures. It's not all black and white like the Lord of the Rings, where Sauron and Saruman are obviously the baddies or Harry Potter were Lord Voldemort is the one we all wish to be defeated. Well, actually, I think Dolores Umbridge the most disagreable character in that whole franchise to be honest, but that is a whole different story (hehe). Anyway, Mockyjay part 2 is a good example of "things aren't always as they seem to be". It gives a clear message to how we work, how our brains work and how we must not make the same mistake twice. Or multiple times, as we are a self destructing race. There is no denying that.
It is definitely an action, sci-fi young adult drama. There are not a lot of laugh out loud moments, but every now and then they sneaked some dry humor in. Even if the script is not as strong in some scenes as in others, the strong performances of the star studded cast made up for it. Generously. Numerous occasions where the eyes may tear up a bit. A couple where there might be actual tears. Hard realities of a rebellion and war and how humanity functions. I definitely had to cover up my ears during the sequens in the sewer beneath the Capitol as the score made it too intens for me to bare. Those muts, brrrrrr.
Although Jennifer has outgrown the character a bit, Katniss is supposed to be 16 after all, she still delivers an incredible performance. By the end of the movie there is a specific scene where Katniss is especially vulnerable, which they did only in one take, and it's just... Heartache! It's long been established that Josh Hutcherson is the most perfect Peeta they could've cast. and Gale is well, Gale. To be honest, he never really was my favorite character. Katniss either, to be honest. I mean, she is fierce, brave, strong and overall badass, but man she is not likeable at all. Well played Suzanne, well played. Woody Harrelson got too little screen time, but is just a personal opinion x) Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) is his true self as we've seen it in part 1. The sugar cubes are long gone, but still a heart throb. And Julianne Moore. Oooh Julianne Moore. Alma Coin. President of Panem... Well, ish ;)
** SPOILERS **
I've heard some nasty comments about the way Gale and Katniss turned out. Eventhough Gale never intended to kill Prim, he did supply Coin with the attact strategy that ultimately would lead to Prim's untimely death. How can you expect Katniss to ever be friends with him? Through out the last two films you can see that the relationship changes between Katniss and Gale. Whilst Gale is all about pay back, Katniss is more concidered of the people in the Capitol and only wishes to kill the source of it all: president Snow. It's a sad ending for their friendship, but unfortunately that thing we call life can be a bitch sometimes. Things happen and people grow apart.
The whole picture is just exactly as to how I imagined it when I read the book. That does not happen often. Which pushes Francis Lawrence a bit higher on my list of favorite directors. From Tigris and her clothing shop to the parachute drop in front of President Snow mansion. Even the execution is exactly as I had pictured it in my head when I read those words on the page. A huge round of applause for every single person who has made this movie a reality.
As per usual, enjoy some videos I found on the wonderful world of YouTube x)
Trailer
Clip
Interview
Review
I'd say, if you'd like the previous films, you will most likely like this one as well. If you've read the books (and liked the books) you will definitely like this adaptation :)
Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara
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