Mockingjay Part 2

Review By: John Delia

Finally coming to an end, the movie The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 brings the trilogy to a close. The continuation of the battle to take down President Snow adds depth to the characters, ties up loose ends and shows the future in a surprising finale. Well-acted as usual, the cast has their roles down pat as they begin the final battle for Penem and stake their claim on the Capitol. Ardent followers, mostly female, will be lining up in droves to see this final episode. So if you want to be the first, seek out tickets early.

The movie opens with Peta (Josh Hutcherson) harnessed to a medical table still wanting to kill Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) as he’s been conditioned to do by President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Bewildered, Katniss has only one thing on her mind, kill President Snow and bring an end to the tyranny he has subjected the people in the 13 Districts. Leading the charge at the behest of the rebel President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), the “Mockingjay” heroine sets out with a squad of best fighters for a last stand against the powerful Capitol’s military.

Returning to finish the series, Director Francis Lawrence does all he can to wrap up the mega franchise in a good way. Leading his actors through some very tricky scenes that include a very scary attack under the city, Lawrence (no relation to Jennifer) works them into a fighting machine using his camera to capture it all. He uses the full quota in CGI and green screen showing the destruction and mayhem brought on by the fighting. His creativity of sets and CGI puts his production in the same league as sci-fi films like Jurassic World and San Andreas.

On the downside, being the kind of director that wants his audience to get inside the head of his characters, Lawrence focuses his camera on several characters in long drawn out shots that slow the film making it lethargic at times. It’s almost as if he’s trying to treat his audience to a last homage of his brilliant characters, especially Katniss, Peta and President Snow. But, it may also backfire on him leaving his younger followers questioning this tactic, especially those that just want to get on with the final show.

In her final debut as Katniss on the screen, Jennifer Lawrence nails the much idolized girl who started the rebellion that opened the door to peace for Panem. Every scene she’s in Lawrence shows a bit more of her amazing talent. Whether it’s a soft moment between her and her two suitors (played by Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth) or a harrowing face to face fight, she’s Katniss as the film series began in 2012 to the very end. Tough, sweet, charming, angry, belligerent as Katniss, Jennifer Lawrence is the whole ball of wax. For millions of young ladies she will be missed as their champion and symbol of the teenage masses. But, Lawrence can finally move on from the teenage wonder child she created and continue making award winning films like Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.

The production crew did a fine job bringing the film to the screen with magnificent sets, excellent computer graphics, amazing special effects and exciting action sequences. The costuming is up to par with the other episodes and due to the addition of the sewer scenes of the ravenous creatures the make-up department excelled beyond what they have done in the past. The superb camera work combined with computer graphics and green screen techniques makes the film exciting and captivating. Scenes of the black water rushing into the city, mountains caving in, buildings collapsing and explosions are sci-fi harrowing at its best. The Capitol has a look of disaster that transforms into an arena of sorts for the final Hunger Game and it works well for the squad who has the assignment to win the city over for the rebels.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for some thematic material. Perfect for teens and mature tweens, the film has an ending that brings closure to the war for freedom and peace.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fitting ending to a very profitable franchise. (B+)