The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 – Film Review

After the surprising thrilling ‘Catching Fire’, ‘Mockingjay Part 1’ is more of a slow down as far as pacing & action are concerned. There is action sprinkled-in at a couple of points in the film to give it some energy. But, the film itself isn’t really about an action drama — where it is more of a political drama and the games people play in them. Propaganda of war was really well realized in the film. How it can change peoples perceptions on how to feel about political movements.

The actors in the film are well utilized and give great performances. Jennifer Lawerence continues to really make Katniss feel like a real person who has to deal with all the situations that President Snow and Co. have put her in over the films. Though Katniss is very reactive and not pro-active in the film she does change as a character in her thinking about herself as a symbol and what that means for the future of the nation versus what she is comfortable with personally.

Miss Everdeen, it is the things we love most that destroy us.

Though there is a lack of action it does weight the film down to make it feel monotone and dragged out. The political messages and discussion being the main focus change the perception of how the series was introduced to make it something audiences aren’t familiar with. I didn’t mind it as much but can see the point of the story being dragged out and not having a concluding ending. The video propos was an interesting plot line that I liked throughout the film. Katniss’ team filming her in real world action scenes to show the real causalities of war.

From being a blockbuster to a political drama – Mockingjay Part 1 does a solid job of showing the mind games that war can play on people and how propaganda can be used effectively in times of war.

7/10