Movie Reviews: The Hunger Games - Mockingjay (Part 1)

Movie: ​ The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

Genre: Science fiction adventure

Rating: ***

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson

Director: Francis Lawrence

Language: English



(Image: AP)

The latest instalment of The Hunger Games continues to wrestle with the same foibles over and over again: Katniss's "affection" for Peeta Mellark. Mockingjay picks up from right where it left off.

When Katniss (Lawrence) comes to, she is the face of a revolution. And this is where you question rationale — she continues to balk that Peeta was left behind, insisting he be rescued. Like its predecessors, this one ambles along at 123 minutes.

Among the new characters, the most important is rebel leader President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore). Gale finally emerges from the shadows to take his place in the scheme of things, and Hemsworth does a fine job with him, but it is Elizabeth Banks's Effie Trinket, who evokes her inner martyr as the Capitol 'POW', and cleverly uses her few lines to get the biggest laughs.



(Image: AP)

Yet, it 's the late Philip Seymour Hoffman's Plutarch Heavensbee who ultimately makes an able team with Coin as leaders of the rebellion and gives you a taste of the stakes they are battling for. This is where the previous Hunger Games fell short — the stakes were never high.

At the end of the day, it was simply a myopic view of the contest. Here, it finally delves into the impact Katniss has on the districts and her emergence as the 'Mockingjay'.

Lawrence's rendition of 'The Hanging Tree' is inspiring and has the desired effect — both on the revolution and the audience. Straddling the line between young adult and action thriller, The Mockingjay finally has more to offer for even the non-fans of the book series. And while there may be no Oscar glory for this one, it will laugh its way to the bank, no doubt.

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