'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1' A Review

Mockingjay Part 1 is the penultimate installment of the Hunger Games series adapted from the trilogy of the same name. In the wake of Katniss Everdeen's second appearance in the Hunger Games a revolution has begun. Katniss was saved by the underground militant district 13 but Peta was left in the custody of the capitol. A good portion of the movie is taken up with district 13's recruitment and use of Katniss as a propaganda tool to foster the burgeoning revolution.

The is the first adaptation in the series that exceeds the source material. The book Mockingjay is meandering and confused, this incarnation is slick and handles the ideas of revolution, subversion, torture, greater good vs. individuality, propaganda, and image with much more deftness and surety than did the novel. It strikes a great balance of action and thrill with political and social commentary.

All the returning actors have done most of their work in the previous movies, all the exposition is taken care of so they are free to give life to the narrative without constraint, which they do. Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss with significantly more confidence in this installment which provides the character with a more gripping range. The movie culminates in a cliff-hanger action-heavy rescue mission. Just enough information is revealed that we are not disappointed. The first adaptation of this type that seems to actually warrant being broken into two parts.

A good installment in a good series. Leaves you eager for part 2 but not impatiently so.

See It.