MOCKINGJAY Part 1 is a good adaptation of the weakest book in THE HUNGER GAMES book series and the changes helps improve on the book.   Even though some complain about the pacing of the movie, I do think it is a better book to adapt as two movies than BREAKING DAWN (which should have always been a one movie adaptation).  Also Part 1 acts as a slow burn for what is to come as THE HUNGER GAMES movie series will conclude next year with HE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY Part 2.

 

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is taken to an underground facility in the believed-to-be-destroyed District 13 where she is introduced to President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) who wants Katniss to become the Mockingjay to keep the tide of rebellion from the other Districts up against the Capital and President Snow (Donald Sutherland).   Katniss’ actions in the last two Hunger Games have sparked riots.   President Snow is somehow using Peeta in a propaganda effort to squash the rebels which convinces Katniss to join in District 13’s effort to stop the Capital.  Also seeing District 12 being leveled by firebombs goes a long way in convincing Katniss.    She becomes a part of the District 13 propaganda effort (under the guidance of Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman in his final film role and you will probably see more of him in Part 2) against the propos effort from the Capital.

 

MOCKINGJAY Part 1 is a darker turn for THE HUNEGR GAMES series where it paints the larger picture of what everyone else is doing where the first two films were mainly Katniss vs. President Snow.  Her actions helped set the stage for what we see in the two part MOCKINGJAY.    I do say this adaptation is an improvement on the book where you get to see the events beyond the POV of Katniss (as it is in the books).  I do hope they improve on the ending of the third book for MOCKINGJAY Part 2.   I think it is interesting to see the war propaganda effort from both sides and what all the players in it are doing.   I can’t wait to see how it all plays out and how the narrative will play out when Part 1 and 2 of MOCKINGJAY are watched back to back.

 

This review is ©11-25-2014 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

 

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