Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 137 minutes (~2.25 hours)
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” is the fourth movie in the “Hunger Games” franchise, and concludes the series based on the books of the same name. This post-apocalyptic teen movie revolves around the titular Mockingjay and her efforts to liberate her world from its oppressors. It stars Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark), Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne), Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy), Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket), Donald Sutherland (President Coriolanus Snow), Julianne Moore (President Alma Coin), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Plutarch Heavensbee), Sam Clafin (Finnick Odair), Natalie Dormer (Cressida), and Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman). It is rated PG-13
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” serves as a wonderful conclusion to the end of the series, and is a much better film than Part 1. Of course, this is due to the fact that most of the action comes in this movie, and all of the previous story threads are also wrapped up here. While you probably have to watch the other movies in the “Hunger Games” series (or at the very least, Wikipedia them) to more fully appreciate the film, it still carries enough story on its own to be an epic drama of life, death and politics.
Highlights
Epic sense of finality
From the start, the massive stakes are already laid out before you. References to the previous films are constantly being made, and it gives you a sense that the conflict spans far beyond what the movie shows you. There’s just so much weight attached to each decision made, and the burden that the heroes have bear are plainly seen on their faces. The film has such dramatic impact because of the tremendous angst that all the characters carry.
Excellent action scenes
While the action in Part 1 was close to non-existent, Part 2 more than makes up for it by giving us exciting, dynamic and vibrant fight scenes. Katniss and friends have to navigate dangerous traps and battle unnatural creatures across evocative locales, and bringing to life the post-apocalyptic ruins of Panem. The action echoes the ethical struggle within Katniss as well, fulfilling both a literal and metaphorical function.
Julianne Moore’s turn as Alma Coin
Alma Coin is a deliciously manipulative character that serves as an excellent counterpoint to the straightforward tyrant that is President Snow. Her scheming and devious nature is just irresistible to watch, and you almost want her to win, after all the effort she has put in. One can only shudder to think of how much more terrible Panem would be if it were under her autocratic rule instead.
A good reason for the Hunger Games premise
So the whole point of the “Hunger Games” series is to put teenagers through a dangerous ordeal and see who can survive, right? “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” had a horrible excuse to put the tributes through another Hunger Games, but this film managed to give us that premise with a little more finesse. It feels less contrived, and fits into the story much, much better.
Letdowns
Little to no exposition for the wonders of Panem
There’s so much more background to the exotic aspects of Panem that the film doesn’t explain, such as the lizard mutts (the creatures that attack Katniss and friends in the tunnels), and why President Snow is coughing blood (it’s due to mouth sores). While leaving out details like this makes for a stronger film and tighter story, it’s the kind of world building that would have been interesting to know about.
An anti-climatic finish
You’d expect some sort of gigantic battle to cap the four-movie-long conflict that has been built up, especially between the title characters. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite pan out that way, leaving you wondering if the climax is over, or if there’s still more conflict to come. I, for one, would have liked to see a more physical confrontation between Katniss and her foes, but what we see is more of a moral victory than anything else.
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” ends the “Hunger Games” trilogy on a grand note, closing the story in a satisfying style.
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” opens in cinemas 19 November, 2015 (Thursday).
This review was first published on Yahoo.
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