BeautifulBallad Reviews The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 hits theaters today, November 21, and is the third film The Hunger Games series. Based off the book, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, the film picks up immediately after its predecessor.

District 13 is alive and using Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) as a weapon in their propaganda campaign to gain followers in the fight against the Capitol. Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), who was left for dead at the end of Catching Fire, is found to be alive and being used as a weapon for the Capitol.

Mockingjay the book, was my least favorite in the series; however, the movie is better than the book (well Part 1 is). The film has more humor in it than expected with Effie (Elizabeth Banks) and Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) providing most of the hilarity.

Julianne Moore and Natalie Dormer are fantastic as President Coin and Cressinda, respectively. Each brought their own take to the character and did a great job standing out alongside the movie’s veterans.

The one issues throughout were Katniss’ consistent crying and the so called love triangle happening between Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Peeta and Katniss. While the crying did fit with what was happening and was connected to Katniss’ struggle with both characters, the tears began to get old, especially from a character who typically doesn’t show emotion.

Fan of the books and the movies will most definitely love this film. I still believe they could have left Mockingjay as one movie, but the cast and crew did a good job of using the
two hours to make a solid Part 1 that preps the audience for the final film. If only we did not have to wait a year.

Grade: B

Source: Lionsgate