The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (First Impressions) (Movie Review)
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Katniss Everdeen is back in another fight for survival in the third installment of the Hunger Games film franchise. This time, instead of getting sent to another battle arena, Katniss has to inspire a group of Rebels that are fighting against the terrine of President Snow, and in the process, Katniss becomes the new face of Rebellion. I have to admit, I wasn’t looking forward to this movie before I saw it because personally I didn’t care for the last book in the Hunger Games book series all that much, and I just couldn’t imagine it working as a two part movie. Surprise, surprise, this didn’t just work, it also exceeded my small expectations, and personally I think this is a rare case in which the movie adaption is far superior to the book.
It’s such a rare treat to see a film this epic, yet it didn’t resort to mindless action. Yah, remember the days when you could have a really adult and mature movie without lots of violence and swearing, this movie is proof that they can still work. The passing is perfect, from beginning to end I was hooked, I was never paying attention to the time, mostly because this film didn’t make itself overly long like every other movie out there. Now some people may be a little bored with this film as it doesn’t have much action or excitement, but it’s still done very well, it’s shot very well, and I love that this film focuses on war from a propaganda angle, as opposed to non-stop battle scenes.
The cast is still spot on, Jennifer Lawrence still commands the film with every scene she’s in, and the supporting cast is only getting better and better with each film. I will say that it was hard to watch the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, knowing that he had passed away do to combined drug intoxication before the movie was released. But his performance was still fantastic, he just carried so much emotional wait, and you believed it in every breath he took, and it just had me asking, why was this wonderfully talented actor taken from us so suddenly. Rest in peace Philip Seymour Hoffman, you’ll be missed. As for the movie, I think it’s one of the best “Part 1” movies I’ve ever seen and it’s gotten me very excited to see the final installment.
I give “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” 3 ½ stars out of 5.