Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015) by Sue J — 07 Jan 2016

The final chapter of The Hunger Games film series, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2 is the second of two films based on the novel Mockingjay, the last book in The Hunger Games trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins. This action sci-fi film was adapted by Peter Craig and Danny Strong, and was directed by Francis Lawrence and stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Julianne Moore As President Alma Coin, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Donald Sutherland as President Coriolanus Snow, plus a well-crafted supporting actors playing important character roles to round out the cast.

This film's story continues where the previous Part 1 ended with Katniss preparing to win the war against President Snow and the Capitol. With others joining in the battle, such as Peeta, Gale and Finnick, help her as she attempts to kill President Snow. There is, however, a much bigger problem planned by President Coin, the leader of District 13, that puts the future of Panem in jeopardy that has to be dealt with as well. To review the story, Katniss is having trouble adjusting to life in District 13, living underground and feeling manipulated, she reluctantly agrees to be the Mockingjay only if the past Hunger Games tributes are given immunity, especially Peeta. Plus she (Katniss) must be the one to kill President Snow.

Katniss and her film crew are sent by President Coin on a special assignment to the Capitol, but Katniss believes that Coin wants her dead because Katniss is almost impossible to control. The team becomes under fire and the commander is killed. During the fighting, Hunger Games-like monsters are involved, killing Finnick. Katniss goes to Snow's mansion to kill him, when a hoverplane drops bombs killing children. Rebel medics including Katniss's sister Prim are deliberately killed during a second bombing, where Katniss is also burned. Katniss learns from captured Snow that the bombings were done by Coin and originally planned by Gale.

Coin proposes that there be another Hunger Games that will include the children of the Capitol, which is similar to the plans by Snow.

As she begins to attempt to execute Snow, she decides to shoot and kill Coin instead, which she does. Katniss then attempts suicide, but Peeta stops her. A riot ensues, and Katniss is arrested, but subsequently is acquitted and is sent back to her ruined home in District 12. Peeta and others from District 12 return also. Together, Peeta and Katniss, who remember their love for one another, write a book about those who have died, but they both suffer from their experiences...Peeta has flashbacks and Katniss has nightmares. They have hope that Panem can change into a representative form of government. At the end, some 20 years later, we see Katniss and Peeta with their two children who represent hope that future generations will live a better life due to the experiences of both their parents. We are left with a reflective Katniss, who believes there are much worse games to play then The Hunger Games.

There are many similar aspects that are carried from the book to the film and at times does not sugar coat those aspects. It is a close adaptation when most of the elements in the book are kept in the film with few elements dropped or added. Prim is killed during the bombing of the Capitol and the president of District 13 is responsible for it. The scene where Katniss kills Coin is also very similar to the book. But some of the differences remain important to point out. Philip Seymour Hoffman died before the film was completed, so the director used footage that had already been filmed and perhaps made this character more sympathetic than originally was intended and differed from the book. He may appear as an opportunist or that he genuinely cared for Katniss. Not certain in the book; however, in the movie, it is much more explicit as he is for Katniss and was hoping that she would succeed.

Snow is not as major in the books as he is in the film, where we see into his mind. We have to be reminded that the books are written in first person and through the eyes of Katniss. In the film, which is a visual medium, we see Coin's and Snow's reactions. (which becomes third person)! The ending which contains the basic words from the text is changed in that the lighting, the tone, the position of the children all suggest a healing of sorts rather than reliving the memories of the fighting and conflict as derived from the text.

The acting was very good, but the dialog could have been better. This is an action film but also contained way too much talking. The CGI and visual effects were done very well. The hand-held camera work was well done too. The set design, costumes, and makeup were very good and contributed to storyline and plot. I have to say that one of the costumes for Katniss reminded me of Catwoman. Just saying!. The overall dark and foreboding lighting highlighted the nature of war and its emotional effects on humanity, as well as the political motives behind it. It was a very good ending to The Hunger Games trilogy; although, there is considerable talk about a prequel. Time will tell on that. I enjoyed the movie and recommend that you see it. GRADE: 3 of 5 crowns.