When I heard that the third chapter of the Hunger Games trilogy of books was going to be split into two parts I was concerned by that. My thoughts on that decision was that it’s not done because the final book is so long that it needed to have its source material honored. No, it’s all about the economics. The two previous Hunger Games films have earned over 830 million in the domestic box office. That’s too many mockingjays to be had or ignored. Speaking of which, how does Mockingjay, Part 1 fair? Warning spoilers ahead…
Having been rescued following the events of Catching Fire, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) finds herself in a deep underground bunker in District 13. There she is reunited with her mother and sister as well as Gayle (Liam Hensworth) and the survivors of District 12. It is also here where Katniss is introduced by Plutarch (the late and great Philip Seymour Hoffman), to President Coin (Julianne Moore), head of the resistance against the Capital and President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Plutarch and Coin want Katniss to be the face of the revolution. To be the Mockingjay that will bring the other districts together against the oppressive Capital.
While Katniss is the revolutions weapon, the Capital is using her Hunger Games partner, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) as theirs. To some in the resistance, Peeta is looked at as a traitor. To Katniss, she would risk it all to save him. We watch over a good part of the next two hours, both sides parading them in front of cameras to deliver messages that would serve their respective causes. In so many ways, they’re pawns in the ultimate game of chess.
Much like with Harry Potter’s final chapter, The Deathly Hollows, Mockingjay – Part 1 serves, as a transitional film for what looks like will be a very action packed and exciting finale. This is a much darker and grittier film than the previous installments. There are no pomp and circumstances. There are no dresses that catch fire in a spectacular fashion or tribunes trying to kill one another for survival. No, this time around it’s about speeches and acts of defiance. It’s about rallying behind a cause and standing up against those who are hell bent on keeping us down.
From an acting perspective the performances are fairly solid. Moore and Hoffman play off each other very well. Hoffman is a delight and reminds you of his brilliance as an actor. He will be missed for sure. Harrelson and Banks own the scenes they’re in but unfortunately they don’t have much screen time to shine. If anything, Mockingjay – Part 1 makes you appreciate the previous films that much more because it makes you care about these characters and their fate.
While I don’t think Mockingjay – Part 1 is as good as its predecessors, a lot of that is due to Katniss not being totally as sure and defiant a leader as she had previously shown. There are moments that showcase those traits but sadly not enough. To be fair, the world has changed quite a bit and she never wanted this upcoming war. However, the final act of rescuing the victors from the capital followed by the gut-wrenching reunion between Katniss and a shattered Peeta (is he friend or foe) served the film very well with an ending at just the right emotional moment to make the audience want more. I look forward to this time next year and the conclusion of this worldwide phenomenon that put Jennifer Lawrence on the map.
Films today are severely lacking in strong female lead characters. Katniss Everdeen makes up for a lot that. She is strong yet vulnerable and that’s okay because all heroes male or female, real or imagined, have those same traits. With her on your side, the odds will always be in your favor.
Also starring: Liam Hensworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Calflin, Natalie Dormer and directed by Francis Lawrence.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 ***1/2 (out of 5 stars)
James aka “The Dork Knight” is a blogger and writer based out of Upstate New York. For James, it all started with a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… when he dragged his mom to see The Empire Strikes Back 10 weeks in a row. He lives and breathes nerd culture. James is proof that a Star Wars fanatic can be a passionate Trekkie as well. So much so James dressed up as Captain Kirk to the premiere of Star Trek VI in 1991 and still has the uniform.
When it comes to Comic Books, Sci-Fi or Fantasy whether in print or digital, in the theatre or on my TV screen, I’m all about it and I love it. So bring your Phaser (set to stun), Lightsaber, Sonic Screwdriver, a Wand, Mjolnir or the Ring to rule them all, because this site is for the dork in all of us.
