​FILMS

the hunger games: mockingjay - part 2

2015 review number 175:

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2: (Action/Adventure/Science Fiction): 73 out of 100: Another popular franchise based on best selling novels for young adults has come to a close. Just like Harry Potter and Twilight, the final instalment has been split into two parts to maximise profits at the box office. Part 2 continues where Part 1 left off so if you haven't seen Part 1, it would be a sensible idea to see at least the last ten minutes otherwise you'll be left in the dark during the initial stages of the final chapter.

 

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is recovering after nearly being strangled by her brainwashed boyfriend, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Katniss vows to atone for Peeta's trauma by venturing to the Capitol to assassinate President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Joining her are allies like Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin), and Boggs (Mahershala Ali). She soon realises that her main role might be that of a media celebrity, pushing the credentials of the President of the Resistance, Alma Coin (Julianne Moore). It is up to Katniss and her team to ensure that the war of Panem doesn't escalate and her ultimate goal is to stay alive.

 

With so many characters, several are reduced to bit parts which don't extend their profiles. Actors like Jeffrey Wright (Beetee), Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy) and Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) have little to do and the sudden death of Philip Seymour Hoffman last year has resulted in his character being merely a bystander to Alma Coin's actions. Moore's role in Part 2 has increased which allows her to demonstrate her talents while Sutherland is not the heinous villain he should be to make his role more memorable. 

 

Jennifer Lawrence is the star and exhibits some of the dramatic prowess which earned her an Academy Award for Silver Linings Playbook. She portrays the heroine character with vigour and vitality. Hutcherson is a capable actor who effectively shows the audience how traumatised his character is while Hemsworth seems more at ease in the action scenes than the dramatic sequences. The love triangle involving these three characters lacked passion and intensity.

 

While the dramatic scenes were constructed well, there were quite a few scenes that overstayed their welcome. It would have been interesting to see how one instalment would have fared as this would have resulted in a tighter production, not allowing the scenes to occasionally drag. The action scenes were brilliantly executed, making full use of the visual and sound effects to draw the viewer back in whenever there was a lull in the narrative. The scenes in the subterranean tunnels were a highlight. The music score by James Newton Howard also added excitement and relevant mood to the plot. 

 

The technical features of the film contribute to the overall appearance. Apart from the aforementioned effects, the production design brings a visual appeal that makes the viewer gaze in wonder. A word of warning though...there are several dark scenes that will hamper your 3D viewing experience if you prefer to see it in this format.

 

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 provides a predominantly satisfying conclusion to a series that this viewer wasn't totally enamoured with. There is effective social commentary along with some finely acted dramatic scenes, interspersed with exciting action sequences, however the sum of all parts doesn't result in a masterpiece, but more of a disposable piece of entertainment.

 

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julianne Moore

(137 minutes)

Parental advice: Violence

Additonal scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-7K_OjsDCQ (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Thursday 19th November, 2015)

 

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