The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Distributor: Lionsgate
Director: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland, Natalie Dormer, Sam Claflin, Robert Knepper, Jena Malone, Stanley Tucci.

Synopsis
'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1' finds Katniss Everdeen in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.

Review
Stretchy and at times draggy, Part 1 of the Mockingjay book is an excellent prelude to the brewing war. With the obvious intention of milking the franchise even more, the decision of splitting the last book into a two-part saga could make or break the storyline. Therefore, part 1 wavers on the line between long-windedness and the tendency to take itself seriously, with the latter being more pronounced. With the plot centralised on the revolution and all that Katniss represents - symbol of hope and courage, the film becomes gradually darker with borderline-R violence when compared to its predecessors. Director Francis Lawrence's vision of battle-torn Districts is terrifyingly real, a panoramic wasteland filled with billowing smoke, bones and rubble. Although there were a few near-cheesy dialogues and unnecessary drags, everything sequence is justifiable with Jennifer Lawrence's excellent portrayal of Katniss. Like an anti-hero, Lawrence's characters is reluctantly dragged into all this not because of who the society wants her to be, but of who she really is as a real, genuine person that only cares about the safety her loved one. Lawrence is the core of the film, as her solid presence and primary characters development pushes the progress of the storyline in every way. With that being said, the final part is gonna be epic.

Rating
4/5 Stars