In the 2010s, when a successful film franchise based on a well-known young adult series came to an end, the last book was split into two movies. Now, obviously, this was done to make more money, but this allowed the story to be as faithful to the source material as possible with the conclusion. It happened with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Breaking Dawn from the “Twilight” saga. And, it occurred with today’s subject Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2, which is based on the third novel of the same name in “The Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins. While there was no need to split the book into two flicks, it addressed some issues I had with the story.
The movies are faithful to the source material for obvious reasons. However, there are some changes. First, Effie Trinket (played by Elizabeth Banks) and President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland) are more present in the flicks than they are in the novel. In the latter, Effie’s whereabouts are unknown until the end, but in the films, she helps Katniss with her Mockingjay wardrobe. President Snow is mentioned in the book, but he isn’t shown until the climax. In the movies, he appears at various points, including the aforementioned scene. Second, there are more sections showing what is happening as opposed to viewers being told what unfolded. For example, we see a team rescuing Peeta from the tribute center in Part 1, yet another character relays information to Katniss about it in the book. Finally, the flicks reduce the amount of screentime devoted to the love triangle among Katniss, Gale, and Peeta. This was in favor of the action scenes and elements that advanced the plot. I was very happy about this one. Go read my review of the Mockingjay book to find out why.
As I mentioned before, Mockingjay shouldn’t have been split into 2 movies. Everything in the story could’ve been told in one. But, because Lionsgate wanted to make extra money, we got the two parts. As it stands, both movies drag at various points, yet they feel rushed at times. When I was watching Part 1, I felt that I was dropped into the middle of something. Yes, I’m aware that it’s the third flick in “The Hunger Games” franchise, but it could’ve done a better job with setting things up like showing what happened at the end of Catching Fire. A lot of the pacing issues could’ve been resolved if Mockingjay was one movie.
Despite the films’ main problem, I enjoyed them a lot more than I expected. Director Francis Lawrence (the guy responsible for your favorite 1990s and 2000s music videos) shoots the trauma-inducing action scenes involving bombings and characters fighting various adversaries very well. I was wholly invested in them. In addition, the score by James Newton Howard is foreboding and heroic at various points even if the music when the ship lands in Part 2 sounded a bit like Pirates of the Caribbean. And, I can’t forget about “The Hanging Tree” – the haunting folk song that Katniss sings that inspires a group of rebels to blow a dam in Part 1. Even though Jennifer Lawrence is not a professional singer, her understated voice lends itself well to the tune. Moreover, the production design is impeccable. Granted, it’s great in the previous films, but this is on another level. The rubble after the districts are destroyed appears realistic. When things start blowing up, the destruction looks like it was done through practical effects as opposed to CGI. And of course, the president’s mansion and the victory cottage highlights the growing difference in how the Capitol and the rest of the districts live.
Finally, the acting is perfect. I couldn’t believe how stacked the cast was. There’s Mahershala Ali as Boggs – Coin’s second-in command, and he’s stoic and reasonable, but he will put someone in his place when needed. This is especially true when Boggs takes Peeta down when the latter chokes Katniss after he’s rescued in Part 1. Julianne Moore is Alma Coin. Her character is portrayed more sympathetically in the films than in the book, yet Moore’s performance led me to believe that she had some ulterior motive other than for the rebel cause, especially in her sly looks.
The best performances belong to Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Donald Sutherland. Harrelson is Haymitch, and he provides the most important truths despite his drunken behavior. One of my favorite scenes from Part 1 is where Katniss is shooting a promo, and Haymitch bluntly says, “This is how revolutions die.”
It’s exactly how I imagined him saying it in the book.
Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss. While her acting can be over the top at times, it’s believable given what the character goes through in all of “The Hunger Games” movies. For example, she screams at Buttercup the cat after the latter comes back to the victory cottage near the end. I was wondering why Katniss would do that since the feline did nothing. But then again, it makes sense knowing what happened to her sister Primrose, and Buttercup was her cat. Lawrence pours her heart into the performance.
Finally, the late Donald Sutherland is calm and evil as President Snow. He’s deliberate in every move he makes, like in the way he barely reacts when he gets a cut that draws blood while he’s getting a shave in Part 1. It may be quiet, but it’s still commanding. My favorite scene in Part 2 is the climax, and that’s mainly due to Sutherland’s sadistic laughing.
Although Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2 should’ve been one movie, it was more than I hoped for. Sure, the pacing can feel sluggish at times, but the action scenes, score, production design, and acting made up for it, and it showed more important scenes than the book did. I would recommend watching both only if one has read the Mockingjay book. Quite frankly, I’m glad that the trend of splitting the final novel of a beloved young adult series into two films is no more, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Mockingjay was part of the reason why it died.
Before I go, I want to let everyone know that I’m going to make an appearance on the Stone’s Top Tens Podcast to discuss the book as well as the Mockingjay Part 1 movie. Keep an eye out for the link.
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