Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014) by Patrick L — 01 Apr 2015

"Mockingjay - Part 1" is the most political of the "Hunger Games" movies even though it's just a two-hour trailer for Part 2".

Movie Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1.

Date Viewed: November 22 2014.

Directed By Francis Lawrence (Constantine, Water for Elephants, I Am Legend and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire).

Screenplay By Danny Strong and Peter Craig, Based on the novel by Susan Collins.

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Philip Seymour.

Hoffman, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson,.

Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Sam Claflin,.

Natalie Dormer, Stanley Tucci, Jeffrey Wright, Willow Shields, Paula Malcolmson, Mahershala Ali, Evan Ross, Patina Miller, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson and Robert Knepper.

We are at the final chapter of the Hunger Games trilogy, unfortunately you have to watch Part 1 of Mockingjay first. "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" is not as strong as the first two movies but it is the most political of the series. Believe it or not, it has elements of "Wag the Dog" in here. We also get new characters in "Mockingjay - Part 1" including Julianne Moore as President Coin, the leader of District 13.

Still playing one of the best female heroines in movie history, Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss Everdeen but she is struggling over what happened at the 75th Hunger Games. After she shattered the games forever, Katniss has been diagnosed with PTSD and she wants to know what happened to her portrayed lover and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Katniss and her fellow victors Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) are now at District 13, an underground rebel base led by President Coin (Moore).

District 12 has now been reduced to rubble, Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) made the kill list and Katniss fears that Peeta may have been executed by the Capitol. When Katniss turns on Capitol state television, she is shocked to learn that Peeta is alive. Peeta has been brainwashed by the Capitol and he wants the rebellion to lay down their weapons. Soon, Katniss and her best friend, Gale (Liam Hemsworth) join Cressida (Natalie Dormer, from "Game of Thrones") and her camera crew in order to film propaganda videos for all the Districts to see.

There is less action in "Mockingjay - Part 1" but what keeps this bird flying is the strong supporting cast and the political subtext. Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks once again add comic relief to their roles as Haymitch and Effie Trinket. Julianne Moore gives a solid performance as President Coin, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman nails it once again as Plutarch Heavensbee, Katniss' wingman, Natalie Dormer gives an interesting performance as Cressida, a new addition to the "Games" franchise and the great Donald Sutherland is ruthless in his third go-around as President Snow.

I can see why "Mockingjay - Part 1" is the most political of the "Hunger Games" movies. It was co-written by Danny Strong who did "Recount", "Game Change" and "Lee Daniels'.

The Butler". Part 1 of "Mockingjay" will probably disappoint some fans of the series but it's politics are strong, smart and gripping.

Even though it's a two-hour trailer for "Mockingjay - Part 2", "Part 1" is still worth seeing.