The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)

Genre

Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Francis Lawrence

Country

USA

Cast

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Natalie Dormer, Willow Shields, Mahershala Ali, Patina Miller, Stef Dawson, Paula Malcomson, Stanley Tucci, Meta Golding, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson, Evan Ross, Gwendoline Christie, Michelle Forbes, Omid Abtahi, Misty Ormiston, Kim Ormiston

Storyline

As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow (Donald Sutherland), while all she holds dear hangs in the balance.

Opinion

Four films later the adventures of Katniss Everdeen are finally over. I say finally because I wouldn't be able to handle another poor film like this one and its predecessor.

Slightly entertaining, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 is a disappointing conclusion that does not manage to be emotional.

In the first chapter, Gary Ross did a wonderful job capturing the audience and the media's attention, and Francis Lawrence managed to maintain the level high with the second chapter. Then, unfortunately Hollywood struck again with its trend of splitting single books into two or more films only to make more money, and it's no surprise neither Part I nor II work.

After watching the disappointing first half of the third chapter, I thought that they saved the best for the Part II, but unfortunately, after a promising start, the film falls swoop. For some unknown reasons, the director decided not to draw up a thrilling finale. When the film has reached the moment of higher tension, he jumped directly to the end. And let me say this, I was not the only one astonished, in a bad way, in the theater.

Then there is the love story that is supposed to be in the background but instead has a central role in the story. Also annoying is the very hasty way the "competition" between Gale and Peeta ends.

The film basically gives too much room to unnecessary and tedious scenes, and too little to the most important moments. It also lacks balance between action - that is not at the top of its game - and drama that had characterized the first two films.

Unlike its predecessor the acting here is pretty good. Jennifer Lawrence does a good job as Katniss, and tries to make up for the screenwriters' mistakes. There are also some fine performances from Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson and Donald Sutherland.

Lastly I'd like to congratulate with Hollywood for ruining what could have been one of the best sagas ever made.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)

Genre

Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Francis Lawrence

Country

USA

Cast

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin, Natalie Dormer, Mahershala Ali, Willow Shields, Paula Malcomson, Jena Malone, Stef Dawson, Patina Miller, Evan Ross, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson, Robert Knepper, Sarita Choudhury

Storyline

With the Games destroyed, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), along with Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Beetee (Jeffrey Wright), end up living with the rebels in district 13 after President Snow (Donald Sutherland) destroyed the other districts except for district two. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore), Katniss because the 'Mockingjay', the symbol of rebellion for the districts of Panem.

Opinion

We are near the end, the Hunger Games are almost over. And to be honest, this should have been the end. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 is a slow, dull, average, and disappointing half third chapter, that leaves more room for feelings, leaving action, thrills, and excitement behind, and it just doesn't have enough content to fill a 2 hours film.

Being both Part 1 and Part 2 shot at the same time, they should have taken their time to edit the film, so to save us both time and money. But since the editing guys had to be paid, and the release of a film only would have definitely halved the incomes, they opted for a bad film instead. Hopefully just one.

In few words, the story is an extremely long preview of what to expect in the final film. But I'm not going to blame the screenwriters on this. Of course, it's not their fault. It is more than obvious that it is not that easy to extend a one book story in two long parts. But at least I enjoyed what they did with Josh Hutcherson and Philip Seymour Hoffman's characters.

Fortunately, the film has Jennifer Lawrence, whose charm and unbelievable acting skills prevent the audience from falling asleep, and save the film from being a complete fail. Also she sings James Howard's "The Hanging Tree" quite well. Donald Sutherland gives another great performance as President Snow, and Philip Seymour Hoffman just nails his character. But the same cannot be said for Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and new entry Julianne Moore as President Coin, who although has a certain presence, fails in capturing the essence of the character. 

Quotes

President Snow: Miss Everdeen, it is the things we love most that destroy us.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Genre

Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Francis Lawrence

Country

United States

Cast
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Lynn Cohen, Jena Malone, Amanda Plummer, Paula Malcomson

Storyline
After winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) return home. President Snow (Donald Sutherland) visits Katniss and explains that her actions in the Games have inspired rebellions across the districts. He orders her to use the upcoming victory tour to convince everyone her actions were out of genuine love for Peeta, not defiance against the Capitol.

As the tour begins, Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) warns them that the show of their relationship must continue for the rest of their lives, so Katniss suggests a public engagement, which is carried out and congratulated by Snow at his mansion in the Capitol.

Due to rebellions in several districts, inspired by Katniss and Peeta, President Snow announces a special Hunger Games, the Third Quarter Quell, where all tributes will be selected from the previous victors: only one is supposed to survive.

Opinion
Sometimes sequels are not up to the previous film, but this is not the case. I've surprisingly enjoyed it very much. Hunger Games: Catching Fire flows smooth like water; its 146 minutes are more like 146 seconds. In this second film of the saga, feelings have more space, but fighting scenes and suspense remain unchanged. Jennifer Lawrence shows off, once again, her incredible skills, and the director, Francis Lawrence (they are not related) dwells on the eyes of the young woman, on the tears coming down her eyes, and on the anger shown through her actions and her words. 

Quotes
Fear does not work as long as there is hope.

Rating
8.0/10

The Hunger Games (2012)

Genre

Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Gary Ross

Country

United States

Cast
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Wes Bentley, Toby Jones, Alexander Ludwig, Isabelle Fuhrman, Amandla Stenberg,  Willow Shields

Storyline
The nation of Panem consists of a wealthy Capital, ruled by President Snow (Donald Sutherland), ruling twelve poorer districts. As punishment for a past rebellion and to demoralize future uprisings, each district must provide two "tributes" - one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 selected by lottery - every year to complete in the televised Hunger Games: they must fight to the death in a vast arena, with the sole survivor rewarded with fame and wealth.
In District 12, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to be the female tribute when her younger sister Primrose (Willow Shields) is drawn.

Opinion
If you read the book, though the book is better, you won't be disappointed. The story is smooth and adheres to the paper version, without big differences. The increasing drama in the story gives  to a 21-years-old Jennifer Lawrence the opportunity to show off her amazing acting skills. Also the supporting cast deserves a mention, in particular a mawkish and hypnotic Donald Sutherland.
Big credits to the cinematography and the music choice is spot on.

Quotes
Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.

Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained.

Rating
8.0/10