Mockingjay (Part 1) Movie Review

I have always told people who thought that the whole entire premise of The Hunger Games Trilogy was the "battle to the death- battle Royale" among kids (which they immediately dismissed as simply violent) but this is actually just the tip of the iceburg and everything falls into place, or rather the full "iceburg" is revealed in Mockingjay Part 1. No more Games as we have seen in the first two movies but we are taken in a world torn by war and rebellion. 

Before I go on with this movie review, I think I ought to go and say that I have read The Hunger Games trilogy a few years back and while audiences are ogling at how beautiful Jennifer Lawrence is as (probably her most recognizable role in her career yet) Katniss and rooting for either the hot Liam Hemsworth or the cute Josh Hutcherson. People are forgetting or perhaps the movie has not given enough focus (in my opinion at least) of the many Socio-Political themes in the story.

I distinctly remember one scene in the book (and it really stayed with me) during a feast in the Capitol, Katniss and Peeta are offered a liquid concuction that will let them throw up so they can keep on eating the different dishes that were prepared for their honor. This of course takes our heroes aback since back in their home in District 12, times are hard and food scarce and hunger (pun intended) is their constant companion; while the citizens of the Capitol are indulging themselves in food. Funny how this scene is parallel to what is happening to the present and reality don't you think? 

When The Hunger Games first came out, people thought it was just another Battle Royale, where characters are forced to kill each other off in a fight to the death, last man standing tournament but that is just actually the tip of the iceberg and there is more to The Hunger Games Trilogy than just that. 

In the Mockingjay, audiences see, feel and understand the price of war; which our generation has been fortunate not to ever have known, of course the same cannot be said about our brothers and sisters in war-torn countries and many scenes in the movie are reminiscent of the actual horror from war which is actually happening right now; sometimes truth is also stranger than fiction. 

More reasons to look forward to Movkingjay Part 1 would be the actors (aside from Lawrence, Hensworth and Hutcherson) of course we would see critically acclaimed, award winning actor Philip Seymour-Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee in one of his last roles due to his tragic and sudden death last February 2014. Hoffman was able to finish filming all of his parts for Mockingjay Part 1. As the movie ended there was a "In Loving Memory of Philip Seymour-Hoffman" that was flashed on the screen, that bought a few tugs at the heart strings. I wonder what they'll do with his role for Part 2 of Mockingjay next year? 

I'm also excited to see Game of Thrones' Margery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) as badass Cressida - I've always said it before that I didn't like her first when I saw her as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors but I have come to appreciate her acting in her roles as Moriarty/ in Sherlock and of course as Margery on Game Of Thrones, in The Mockingjay, Dormer shaves half of her head to play the role of former Capitol film director Cressida, who is put in Katniss' "propaganda" team. Loved her in the movie and I loved how bad ass she is, she really rocked that half shaven head look ^_^  

I think I can finally say that I have come to fully accept the changes that transpire from book to movie adaptations (or any kind of adaptation actually) and I think that it is not always a bad idea to make changes, the trick is to know when to make that change. Case in point is keeping Elizabeth Banks on as Effie Trinket in The Mockingjay movies. In the book, the role originally belonged to Fluvia. Yet- audiences have come to love Effie Trinket thanks to Elizabeth Bank's spot-on-portrayal of the fish out of water Effie as we find her without her wigs, make up and extravagant Capitol Couture. Her presence is reassuring as she provides the little humor that is in the movie. 

Of course there is also Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin (seriously watching her in that role, makes me feel old) but she did do a good job portraying the role and her presence with stars like Lawrence is just seamless. 

The movie was well made- due to the last installment being cut into two parts. The pacing was just right it was not too cramped that you felt rushed or was it too draggy that you'd get bored. Most importantly also the pacing was just right for audiences to understand the price one has to pay in the time of war and it ended with audiences left hanging for more. 

Aside from the ultimate rising action in this dystopian trilogy, I must say that I love the Soundtrack and the music in it. Weeks before the movie was released, a number of songs from the OST were already made available to fans and I just love Lorde's Yellow Flicker Beat and Chvrches' Dead Air. We also get a treat in the movie when we hear Jennifer Lawrence sing <3 

In Catching Fire we last left Katniss and company at the 75th Hunger Games, where Katniss and Peeta are caught in the middle of a rebel plot against the Capitol. Katniss fires an arrow which destroys an invisible force field, in the chaos that ensues Peeta is captured by Capitol forces while Katniss is brought to seek refuge in District 13 (which everyone thinks as having been destroyed). The rebellion wants to use Katniss as their poster girl to fuel the propaganda for the rebellion but all Katniss wants is to rescue Peeta. 

Wait-where's Peeta? 

The movie isn't just made up of awesome actress, there is of course a strong supporting cast from Jennifer Lawrence's leading men in the shape and form of Peeta (Hutcherson) and Gale (Hemsworth). While Gale takes on a more soldier of war role, no one really knows what's going with Peeta and why is he speaking in favor of The Capitol? I don't want to spoil anything but what I can say is that we see some impressive acting on Hutcherson's part. 

In lieu of the Hunger Games we see more war games and a Zero Dark Thirtyesque operation, which is a good change I must say! All in all I really enjoyed the movie, as I said the pace was good, the emotions were drawn in the right scenes and you feel as if you are Katniss- who is caught up in the manipulation and betrayal and there is enough action for you to feel as if someone is always trying to blow you up. 

You should definitely see the movie, most especially if you've been following the movies and if you have also read the book. :) A lot of people will most probably see the movie and enjoy it and because of good marketing strategy Lionsgate can count on the second part of the Mockingjay to earn big in the box office next year. 

Mockingjay is no longer about games where 11 are killed and there is only one victor. It is now a war, where no one ever wins, it's just a matter of how much you lost.