SYNOPSIS
The worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, which finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever.
Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the third in a trilogy written by Suzanne Collins that has over 65 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.
(c) Lionsgate
VERDICT
Mockingjay was my least favourite book in the trilogy because it’s the least exciting and most serious of the lot. It starts out a bit slow, and that’s how this movie is as well. Some people might find themselves listless at these points, but I thought the overall pace serves the film well, giving it a chance to be as faithful to the book as possible. I was happy that they kept most of the most memorable lines and moments from the book.
As usual, Jennifer gave a stellar performance as Katniss. When she gave her impassioned speech about how fire is catching, I almost shed a tear. This film is not as tearjerking as the first two, but there are still a few heartbreaking scenes. Speaking of which, Josh Hutcherson provides a few of these.
I like the way they interspersed two separate but simultaneous scenes to build suspense. Even though I already knew what was going to happen (having read the book), I was biting my fingernails and hanging at the edge of my seat to find out what would happen to the volunteer soldiers and at the same time what Finnick would reveal in his speech. Do watch out for what I’m talking about towards the last few minutes of the movie.
Since this is only part 1, it ends on a cliffhanger which will definitely make you want to watch part 2.
Overall, I’d say it’s a great adaptation and a wonderful film in itself, and well worth a watch even though it might be the most slow-paced of the entire series. I still think I prefer this adaptation over the first one, anyway! I wish they could just redo that one, actually. I still can’t get over how badly they portrayed Peeta in that!
Ratings: IMDB – 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
RELATED POSTS
Book Reviews – Hunger Games | Catching Fire | Mockingjay
Movie Reviews – Hunger Games | Catching Fire
oh! how come you already seen it! the premiere is on the 21st! :O
They showed it early in SIngapore. 🙂
oh! how come you already seen it! the premiere is on the 21st! :O
They showed it early in SIngapore. 🙂