Leigh Ann Rassler
Release Date: November 20, 2015
Running Time: 2 hours and 17 minutes
Rated PG-13
Directed By: Francis Lawrence
Grade: B
Starring:
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
Liam Hemsworth as Gail Hawthorne
Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
Donald Sutherland as President Snow
Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin
Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen
and Philip Seymour-Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee
A small town girl from District 12 who survived the Games and turned a nation of slaves into an army!
District 13 has united the other districts with one goal in mind: to storm the capitol and end the oppression of President Snow. As President Snow and President Coin match wits with propaganda, Katniss defies Coin’s plan to keep her hidden away as a motivating spokesperson. Katniss joins a unit led by Boggs and aids the other Hunger Games victors as they march into the capital to assassinate President Snow. The challenge is that Snow’s game-makers have rigged the Capitol’s surrounding area with hidden pods. These pods contain devastating weaponry that threatens to take a toll on the revolutionaries. Unexpectedly, Peeta is sent to join Katniss’s unit even though he has not fully recovered from Snow’s torturous mind games. Katniss is determined to end the games once and for all, while dealing with unimaginable choices, Peeta’s breakdowns, and an unexpected turn of events as she gets close to her target. This time she is not only fighting for the survival, but for the future of Panem.
“Fire Burns Brighter in the Darkness”
As a “Tribute” aka Hunger Games fan, I have been counting the months and weeks leading up to the opening of the final chapter, in a story that meant a lot to me personally. It is refreshing to see a female heroine. Katniss Everdeen’s character is liked by men and emulated by women. She is strong, selfless, kind, and resilient. The team of Strong and Craig did an excellent job adapting the screenplay for Part 2. The storylines were pretty accurate and brought the entire saga together. There are scenes in the book that are so raw and powerful, that it was hard to read them. I did feel like a few scenes that are meant to be gripping and poignant were rushed. Therefore, I was not able to experience the pain and emotion that I was expecting. Jennifer Lawrence was so powerful and in command of the other films. Other than a scene in District 13 with Buttercup, I felt like she did not deliver her best performance. Director Francis Lawrence filmed most of the scenes in and around Atlanta, but did utilize sets in Paris and Germany. I loved how he used the snowy landscapes for contrast in the Capitol. He and the special affects team did a superb job capturing the essence of the Panem. Head to the cinema this weekend and experience the mortal traps and choices in the powerful final chapter in The Hunger Games. ~A.S. MacLeod
My dear Miss Everdeen, make no mistake, the game is coming to its end.
Welcome to the 76th Annual Hunger Games! Mockingjay Part 2 delivers a satisfying conclusion to one of America’s most beloved franchises. Director Francis Lawrence and Jennifer Lawrence return once more to lead the cast and crew in a victorious cinematic achievement. Jennifer’s poignant portrayal of Katniss is flawless as her emotions fluctuate and peak toward the end. The story picks up exactly where Part 1 left off and the back-to-back filming provides congruency in cast and enthusiasm to do the book justice. While the story continues to show the darkness of an escalating war, it does gloss over some particularly painful moments in the book. Become a part of the revolution with Katniss and enjoy the Hunger Games finale! ~Movie Buffette
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