Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015) by Derpymcfox — 27 Nov 2015

Personally not being a fan of the books I really enjoyed the setting and darker tones this franchise has to offer up. However this instalment yet still entertaining and worth a watch was definitely my least favoured of the four. This isn't much of a review, though I'm simply pointing out my memorable highs, lows and gripes off the top of my head.

Right off the bat this movie tosses in the burden of war which is great, the only problems being that in retrospec I can't really remember much of what happened in act 1. Following the events of Part 1 Katniss had lost her voice though this is quickly resolved. I'm no biology expert or know anything regarding the books, though I'd have like to have seen her without a voice for much longer, perhaps even to the end. By this point Katniss is looking very much invincible, the idea of her struggling to talk while undergoing her journey would not only compliment her character, but make for an even more gripping story. Having to fight to speak up on camera etc.

The traps in this one were fairly nice to see, however due to the device I feel like we had missed out on a lot more. Granted they couldn't add in too many and they had a small squad, but I'd like to have seen more from that. Perhaps even them and the peacekeepers battling it out in trap central.

The sewers scene was probably the one that stood out most for me. Having been a big ALIEN nerd through high school this scene really set the mood and tone. The suspense was done so right and was genuinely a small clip that I just loved. I even half expected a Xenomorph to pop out.

In terms of the tone of this movie I feel like it had gone a bit under following the previous. There was a sense on need and hopelessness, but it seemed nowhere near as great as in the last two. Obviously there were some darker moments towards the end, however the wrap up seemed a bit too rushed for to have much of an impact. I'd have liked a longer build even though I wouldn't say I loved the ending either. Very much seemed like Katniss was knocked off of her pedestal at this point. Like she had no impact on the whole movie what so ever til her choices at very end; which was predictable by then.

Personally though this movies biggest flaw is character development. I get this is Katniss's story, but over the past two films they have introduced so many interesting characters that the just don't bother flushing out. Natalie Dormer's character and her team were a group I really wanted to know more about and grow to love. I mean a group of capital film makers now soldiers? That's fuel for a movie alone I think. Granted they did dip in a little with some of them but it only seemed to be there for advancing the plot. Plutarch was another. I wanted to know his thinking, his master plan at the end. What was his ideal outcome? who was he before this? why was he fighting for this cause?

Johanna was another heavy hitter for me. She was a fierce character who clearly had witnessed probably the absolute worst of the capital. I wanted to know what happened before and after the games? Instead she is just there again to push forward the plot.

Peeta was an odd one in this movie. I love the idea of him having to find himself again while battling the need to kill Katniss. However I'm undecided if he had become more interesting or more boring through this? He did pour out a few feelings, but I'd have like to have been hit with more venerability to actually feel more at one with the character.

Gale was a character I found fairly boring anyways. However in the second movie and some of the third he did grow on me slightly. However as he shew his military colours early in this you kinda see where their relationship is going. It was almost as if he wasn't even fighting to get Katniss's approval in the end, he kinda just accepted the outcome.

Overall I'd say see it if you've seen the rest at the cinema. However if you're not too fussed this is very skipable. In the end it had a slightly bitter sweet finale, though I'd have liked it to had hit me harder with more loss. I really do feel like not enough people died in this movie and not many deaths seemed meaningful. Main reason I'd give it what I did was that it had some nice scenes and some good ideas, but fell really short for me. Plus points for the 'ALIENS' scene.

If anyone actually read this, well done. And apologies should there be any grammar errors.