Movie Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 is an American epic science fiction war film directed by Francis Lawrence. It is the second of two cinematic parts based on the novel Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins, and the fourth and final installment in The Hunger Games film series. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Philip Seymour Hoffman (in his final film role), and Donald Sutherland. With a budget of $160 million, the film is set to be released on November 20, 2015 internationally in 2D, 3D, RealD Cinema, and IMAX 3D, and will be the only film in the film series widely released in 3D.



The story goes like this: With the nation of Panem in a full-scale revolutionary war, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) confronts President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin), Cressida (Natalie Dormer) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) – Katniss goes off on a mission with the District 13 unit as they risk their lives to liberate the citizens of Panem, and stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her. Although rebels - including fellow victors, Johanna (Jena Malone), Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), and Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) - now control most of Panem, the Girl on Fire must still overcome one last challenge to win President Snow's "game" - to conquer the Capitol at the risk of losing her friends and loved ones. The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in the Hunger Games as she realizes the stakes are no longer just for survival – they are for the future of Panem.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 is of action, adventure, and sci-fi genre, which runs for approximately 137 minutes. It's rated PG-13 in most countries for intense sequences of violence and action, and for some thematic material. This is probably the film that I've been most excited to see this year, being a fan of The Hunger Games franchise, and I have high expectations. The movie started a bit dragging with a lot of uninteresting conversations. The highlight of the film was probably when they planned on storming the Capitol, where they have to deal with peacekeepers, sewer monsters (seriously?), and traps. There were some action scenes but it failed to match those from the previous installments of the film. Moreover, the film had to rely so much with the element of shock and suspense, similar to what you see in horror movies. Also, I didn't like how the death of some of the major characters was portrayed like Finnick and Prim. They were just like collateral damage. But the most disappointing part for me is when they actually stormed the Capitol. There were bombs in parachute dropped from the sky and that was it. They didn't even bother showing how the Victors and the rebels were able to overcome the Capitol. Had they shown it, it could have been quite epic. The ending was quite meh as well, just showing Katniss and Peeta with their kids having their moment. Overall, it was an okay ending to a great film series but it could have been so much better - like how the Harry Potter series or Twilight Saga ended. It should've ended with a bang. But that's just me. =)

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 STARS

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Til then...

xoxo Nash