THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 (3D)
DIRECTOR: Francis Lawrence
CAST: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland
CLASSIFICATION: PG13 V
RUNNING TIME: 149 minutes
RATING: 3 stars (out of 5)
Debashine Thangevelo
THIS is a fitting conclusion to The Hunger Games franchise, barring the creative liberties taken with the climax. Of course, the latter part will only upset those that have read Suzanne Collins’s novels.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (3D) sees emotions running rampant as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) deals with the biggest act of betrayal. And it is ingeniously woven into the build-up as we see the poster girl for liberation hell-bent on taking out Panem’s tyrannical ruler – President Coriolanus Snow (Sutherland).
Director Francis Lawrence’s strong suit is ensuring the twists are unleashed at the right time to propel the storyline. As this is the final chapter in The Hunger Games franchise, the pressure is on.
Mockingjay – Part 2 has plenty of CGI-action underpinning the drama, romance (well, more like love triangle) and tense ambience.
Although Katniss has helped unite the different districts to join the full-scale attack on the Capitol, she is starting to feel more like President Alma Coin’s (Moore) puppet than a fighter with purpose.
Of course, Katniss isn’t one to take orders and sneaks into District 13 to join the rest of her team. The war has also become more personal for her – especially after President Snow brainwashed the love of her life, Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson).
Meanwhile, Gale Hawthorne (Hemsworth) continues to pine for Katniss.
While on her mission, Katniss realises she has become a great threat to President Coin, who plans on ruling Panem when the elections are held after the dystopian government is overthrown.
The second part of Mockingjay maintains the same measured pace of the first one. While it is lengthier than the previous movie, there is more poignancy to the story and the stakes are raised.
Loyalties are tested, dark ambitions surface and game master Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) dabbles in the art of politics. Meanwhile, Katniss’s allies continue to watch over her on her mission.
The script is cleverly penned and the actors really own their characters and get the audience to invest in their struggle. Lawrence proves to have quite the Midas touch in ensuring that there is fluidity to the overall storytelling.
And the scenes with the black oil flood, the horrifying creatures in the tunnel that look as if they have stepped off the set of a horror movie, and those explosive pod booby traps, heighten the excitement levels and offer relief from the dramatic scenes.
Lawrence is formidable in the lead. As Katniss, she masterfully juggles the fearlessness of her character while also wearing her heartbreak on her sleeve.
Admittedly, it is surreal seeing the late Hoffman on screen and it makes viewers miss him even more.
Moore plays her duplicitous character with aplomb. She exudes menacing confidence while Haymitch Abernathy (Harrelson) adds levity with his principled actions. And, last but not least, the inimitable Sutherland makes a fitting villain.
Casualties are par for the course in any war and there are a few shocking deaths. However, it is crucial for the chain of events that follow.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 will satiate the appetite of fans.
If you liked any of The Hunger Games movies or The Maze Runner, you should enjoy this.