Review - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

The series has featured two Hunger Games battles in the first two films, but alas - there will be know formal "Hunger Games" in this film. This is all about revolution.

As we pick up on the series, Katniss is in the heart of the revolution, District 13. It's here that she has been brought since she abruptly left the last Hunger Games and after some time has passed, she's ready to be pitched on a new role.

The Districts have found someone they can relate to in Katniss. She is strong, defiant, and oh so
real...and the Districts love her.

She hesitates when presented with an option, become the Mockingjay and help lead the revolution against the Capitol.

Struggling with her anger over the results of the Quarter Quell, she longs to have Peeta by her side...even if it would mean she wasn't alive. While she does have Gale and her sister and mom, the emptiness that comes with Peeta being left behind consumes her. But as Prim tells her...she has a lot more power than she has ever imagined.

Filled with that knowledge, Katniss agrees to become the Mockingjay with the agreement of District 13 President Alma Coin to rescue Peeta along with Johanna and Annie at the first chance they get. Now, as she starts to see the devastation caused by the Capitol in her old District 12 home, along with witnessing a callous disregard for life on up close and personal level, she agrees and the battle begins.

First the battle will be fought for the hearts and minds of the outlying districts, but it's only a matter of time before they will all need to confront the Capitol head on.

The journey, while rough, sets up like the early, background knowledge necessary to set the table for an incredible climax. I can't wait to see where Part 2 goes...but that said...I'm looking at THIS film here.

The feeling of this is quite dry and I found myself leafing through the film like a new book that I just didn't get entirely connected with. Much of the film is used to set the background for the revolution. What has been going on in the districts since the last games, and even before then. Relationships are forged and some start to fizzle...but there are people you care for in the film that don't generate the connection that we felt in the first two films.

The action felt interrupted and almost like an add on to make sure we stay involved as we move forward. It lacked the true intensity that had hallmarked the series.

That all said - it was far from an awful ride. I still care about Katniss and the revolution. I love to see the growth of Katniss as se becomes the person who will awaken the Districts. And I think Jennifer Lawrence still brings all of that to the screen. Lawrence is a true gem here and I can only imagine the conclusion.

The key is the film left me wanting, it didn't fill my hunger at all, an maybe that's a good thing. But in our microwave society, where we want everything now...and lots of it, will it be worth the wait to close the book.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Directed by Francis Lawrence

B-/C+

Cast: Katniss - Jennifer Lawrence, Peeta - Josh Hutcherson, Gale - Liam Hemsworth, Haymitch - Woody Harrelson, President Snow - Donald Sutherland, Plutarch - Philips Seymour Hoffman, President Alma Coin - Julianne Moore

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 opens in theaters everywhere on November 21, 2014

Trailer - Red Dawn

I'm not going to lie...I'm kinda excited about this.... Check out the trailer for Red Dawn circa 2012...let me know what you think...


The original film was one that really catapulted the PG-13 rating into existence, and now we get to revisit with a different "enemy" a story that was long over due. The cast is young and hip but it's kinda weird as a November release instead of being smack in the middle of the summer. That said...I'm excited to check it out.

Review - The Hunger Games

Hunger – Satisfied

In the future, districts have risen up to try and take down the government. The Capitol has prevailed and in an attempt to quell future uprisings they have deemed the yearly Hunger Games to take place as a reminder of who is in control. The games will feature a boy and a girl from each of the 12 Districts. The game is a battle to the death until only one remains.

Oh, did I mention that all the combatants are 12-18 years old and the battle will be televeised for all to see? I didn’t think I did…

The Hunger Games Satisfies
March 23, 2012

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) does the unthinkable, she volunteers to head to the games. She jumps to the front and volunteers to go to the games in place of her sister Prim who was the original selection for her district. She has worked hard to protect her sister and she is not stopping at this point. Her cohort for the games is the mysterious Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). We know there is some history between Katniss and Peeta as flashbacks tell us, but what is it?

Together they travel to the Capitol to meet their mentor Haymitch (Woody Harrelson). It is during this mentoring process that the brutality of the games surfaces. It’s a game show set up similar to any reality show you can think of, only in this game show, kids don’t get kicked off, they die.

The twisted show is run by the President (Donald Sutherland) and his game master (Wes Bentley). Together they will work with televised host Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) to create a program that entertains Capitol residents and betting folks while at the same time puts the districts in their place. What alliances will form? Who will leave alive? Who will survive…The Hunger Games?

The book is a huge best seller, so it was only natural for it to come to the big screen. Now the question is can they pull it off? The answer is a resounding YES in my mind.

I’ve seen many try to compare The Hunger Games with Twilight based simply on book sales to a demographic, but I’m here to say DON’T DO THAT. These are totally different stories and delivered very differently on the big screen. The Hunger Games is about surviving -- surviving the situation that you are put into no matter the reason and changing the game that is presented to you.

Many worried about Jennifer Lawrence in her role. I’m here to tell you she delivers the passion, the excitement, the fearlessness, and the tenacity of Katniss with ease. She knows how to show her vulnerability when dealing with one of the youngest competitors and how to show the fierce survival instincts when dealing with the attacks on her by multiple competitors, all while maintaining her integrity and moral standing.

Josh Hutcherson is a chameleon of a character. One second you love him, the next you hate him. One second you fear for him, and the next you fear HIM. All delivered in a perfect pitch performance from a budding young superstar.

The story, delivered in a long 2 hours 20 minutes an emotional rollercoaster. You felt as if it could have been you standing in Katniss’ shoes. Although it was a touch on the long side, The Hunger Games felt gritty and authentic, horrific and hopeful. I might argue that the PG-13 rating seems really generous given the authentic feel, but there is no doubt the film still satisfied the hunger within me for a solid film.

 

B+

The Hunger Games

Lionsgate Pictures

Director: Gary Ross

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland

Rating: PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images – all involving teens.

Runtime: 2 hours 22 minutes