Shadows on the Wall | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

MUST SEE

dir Francis Lawrence
prd Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik
scr Danny Strong, Peter Craig
with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin, Natalie Dormer, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Mahershala Ali, Willow Shields, Jena Malone, Elden Henson
release US/UK 20.Nov.14
14/US Lionsgate 2h03
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

This means war: Hemsworth, Ali, Lawrence and Henson

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R E V I E W B Y R I C H C L I N E

The third book in Suzanne Collins' trilogy gets the now-requisite two-part treatment, perhaps a wise mood with its dramatic mid-point shift. Much bleaker than the first two films, the story is balanced by moments of earthy wit and raw emotions. It's a bold, beefy movie that continues to deepen the themes while pushing the characters beyond what they think they can bear.

After the Quarter Quell imploded, Katniss (Lawrence) discovers that the rebellion is using her without her knowledge to rally people to fight. But now rebel President Coin (Moore) and leader Plutarch (Hoffman) need Katniss to embody the Mockingjay, the inspirational symbol of the revolution. She agrees only if they can guarantee safety for Peeta (Hutcherson), who has obviously been brainwashed by the Capitol's President Snow (Sutherland). So with her hunting pal Gale (Hemsworth), Katniss dives into the fray, locking horns with Snow in a battle for the hearts and minds of the people of Panem.

As in Catching Fire, Francis Lawrence captures the book's perspective on-screen. After being so ignorant about what was happening, Katniss now has a remarkable focus, which lets Lawrence reveal things Katniss doesn't even know about herself, such as why the entire nation loves her. Watching her develop her own voice is genuinely inspiring. Even if much of her action is still fuelled by teenage confusion and anger, her strength and integrity are emerging.

These deepening themes provide plenty of gristle for the supporting cast. Moore and Hoffman are especially good, thoughtful but tough-thinking leaders, able to see Katniss' talents and also the dangers of putting her up front. Harrelson has some superb scenes as the now-sober Haymitch, while watchable Hemsworth finally gets to take his place at the centre of the narrative. But Hutcherson has the toughest role, and the film's trump card is Banks, who reinvents the preening Effie (refugee chic!) while providing welcome comic relief.

With a darker tone and very different structure, this chapter features military raids, attacks and counterattacks, propaganda and secret missions. But this film is just a set-up to war, building the epic confrontation while further deepening the untidy characters. This is a rare franchise with a driving pace and remarkably complex themes. And even more than the books, the film feels like a prescient commentary on what could happen if the 99 percent ever get tired of being oppressed by the other 1.

themes, violence 9.Nov.14

R E A D E R R E V I E W S

josh, Canada: 1/5

I just came back from seeing this drivel and I hated almost every moment of it. I read the books first and I thought that the last book was horrible. In a way, I suppose, the movie is faithful to the book as it's also horrible. Finally that they would split the last book into two movies is a travesty and, of course, is done strictly for the purpose of milking the series to the last possible drop! (21.Nov.14)