Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015) by Foxgrove — 20 Nov 2015

A fitting conclusion to what has been a very accomplished series. Dark in both look and tone, this entry offers up a few surprises for those who haven’t read the books. Top lined by the current ‘it’ girl, Jennifer Lawrence, who is so good in the role of Katniss Everdeen that it is nigh on impossible to imagine another actress in the part. It has to be said that performances of this stature are not usually on evidence in these kind of commercial blockbusters. It is to her credit that the films have succeeded in no small measure due to her commitment to them.

Having said that the film does start with a whimper rather than a bang. However, as soon as our vengeful troop head for the capitol, and specifically the Mansion of Coriolanus Snow, the bangs start in earnest and we find ourselves tensely partaking in the 76th Hunger Games. There is one gob smacking set piece involving a sea of black oil and another nail biting, beautifully photographed episode, down in the sewers where the group come under attack from mutants.

Ongoing delights include excellent production design and James Newton Howard’s lovely score. Costumes are toned down from the amazingly wacky designs of earlier instalments and it is left to Elizabeth Banks (this year’s clothes horse for eye catching garb. See her in ‘Love and Mercy’) to carry the day in this area. The late Phillip Seymour Hoffman appears too little effect, but no doubt judicious cutting has had to play a part.

The film does rather outstays its welcome by tacking on a couple of unnecessary codas that add absolutely nothing. Overall, though, the series has maintained a strong emotional hold throughout. This in itself is quite rare in many franchises being made today, and the movie should be applauded for that alone.