Finally got to see Hunger Games: Mockinjay Part 1
SPOILER FREE
At this point in time, I think it's safe to say that audiences are getting tired of the whole formula of studios breaking the final films in a series into two parts, making audiences wait a year in between parts 1 and 2 so they can see how everything ends. The first movies that started this trend where the infamous Matrix sequels in 2003 followed by the Pirates of the Caribbean films, then Harry Potter started the book turned movie trend of doing this technique. Now were stuck with the final installment in the popular Hunger Games series being split into two parts. Studios do this for two reasons, the first being to save costs by filming two films back to back in one filming schedule, and the second is to increase maximum profit by turning three films into four with the finale supposedly being so huge that they have to make two films to please the audience. This can either be a good or bad thing because while the second part of the finale is guaranteed to be the better half and draw in all the audiences that have taken a break on seeing part 1 in theaters, the first half feels like a waste of time or lacks the excitement of the final part. In the case of Mockingjay part 1, the problem lies with the first movie not really having much accomplished by its final frame.
This installment of the two part finale is not bad by any means but certainly feels like it's the least good of the first three installments thus far in the Hunger Games series. The darker and more mature atmosphere is a nice touch along with the faster pacing, but there is something genuinely missing from this movie that doesn't really get it's audience engaged in it like the other two did. I think the problem with this film lies in the fact there really isn't much that's happening in the first part of this finale. Let's review the plot of this film briefly: Jennifer Lawrence's character Katniss ends up destroying the games, and goes to District 13 after the 12th district is destroyed. It is there she meets President Coin who convinces her to be a symbol of the rebels rebellion, while at the same time trying to rescue Peeta from the capital. The storyline def has promise for this installment but it lacks action this time around, there isn't much of that in this film. A lot of information is given to the audience through the main characters in the film who sport a strong supporting cast among the likes of the always great Julianne Moore, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman (RIP), Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelsen, and Jeffrey Wright, but there isn't much action to back the moments of informative dialogue up. Perhaps they are saving all of that for the next part in the two part finale as this section feels rather dry at times. What the film ends up doing well is setting up the final act of the story with strong performances building on the emotional intensity of the conflicts presented in the film with a much darker atmosphere than the first two films, political corruption and the need to fight against it, strong acting from everyone involved, but the excitement takes a backseat in this one ultimately.
One has a strong feeling when all is said and done after the final installment is released that this will end up being the least popular film in the series. That is not to denounce it as a worthy installment, but to signify that it is the one film in the series that has no real beginning or closure to it. Will seeing both parts of the finale back to back change people's minds on their perspective of this one? Maybe a few but when the entire series is reexammined, this one is going to be the least appealing because it feels like unnecessary filler to get to the grand finale which comes next November. Much like how Harry Potter Deathly Hollows first part was solid but often quite forgettable when you look at the second part of the final story arc. That ending blew the first half out of the water, which may very well end up being the same case here. Mockingjay Part 1 is a solid entry into the Hunger Games series even though it's not quite on the same level as the previous installments. It sets out what it's primary mission is to build up the final act in the story which seems like it's going to pay off for die hard fans who've waited over two years to see how it's all going to finish. If you go into this expecting it to end on a note like the previous two did then you will be disappointed. If you go into this with the understanding that there isn't much that really happens in this installment but it's laying out the groundwork for things to come, then you should be pretty content with what you find here. Really, that's the only way you can look at this new installment and not be disappointed by it.
7/10
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