In case you haven't heard, due to the "low" opening numbers of the last Hunger Games flick (yes, only in Hollywood you call US$100 million in earnings a disappointment) many critics believed that audiences are getting tired of this franchise. Particularly so because studio executives - thanks to that boy wizard named Harry Potter - decided to split the last chapter into two movies. And particularly because Mockingjay - Part 1 wasn't very well received (even though it still manages to garner around US$300 million in ticket sales)
So, luckily, now we finally have the last installment in a theater near you, and it doesn't disappoint. It might be a bit lagging with many conversations going about amidst the trail towards assassinating President Snow, but at least it's an interesting and revealing one, especially between Katniss, Gale, and the brainwashed Peeta. The action scenes are good and tense, especially during the underground battle with the aquatic "mutt" that killed of a major likable character, and, yes, the ending perhaps can be too bittersweet and long. For sure returning director Francis Lawrence has made the post-apocalyptic proceeding (with Danny Strong of The Butler and Empire fame helping to write the screenplay) consistent with previous outings.
But first of all, we've got to admire how the Hunger Games introduced us to one of the most powerful female characters in cinema history. The story is continually is built around her strength, bravery, and compassion - the script doesn't make her "masculine" by transforming her into a tough ass heroine nor does it feminize her by making her too invested in her romantic problem, but more important is that she's human: tough, yes, but also fragile, confused, determined. She's not perfect too, which is why in Mockingjay Part 2 she tends to be made merely as an "mascot", used for political play. In short: she's a very complex character.
Jennifer Lawrence (though continuously in superserious mode throughout this movie) should thank Katniss for giving her the chance to flex some acting muscles and then some. It's showing how great an actor is by having two different persona on-screen and off screen. We all know how J-Law is in real life is, but on the silver screen she's a completely different animal, and I can't believe she's only 25 years old.
Anyway, beyond the character of Katniss, Hunger Games is also admirable because of its portrayals of war, the casualties of war, the collateral damages, and how sometimes a seemingly good leader might succumb to the old ways of his/her predecessors in order for the public to get their eye-for-an-eye. The underlying theme of The Hunger Games definitely elevates it beyond other Young Adult adaptations. Part 2 for sure brings the audience to full closure, which involves characters we've grown to love (or hate) such as Peeta Meelark (an intense Josh Hutcherson), Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman), Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields), Cressida (Natalie Dormer), President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), and, of course, the vicious President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland). Phew, that's quite a roster of actors...
But ultimately they are supporting the Girl on Fire (on-screen and off-screen): Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. It's sad her story has come to an end (save for mayybe 20 years later when they remake it or make another sequel with Katniss daughter continuing her fight), but in the meantime, just catch Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 in the theatre if you can. It might not be as good as the first or the second one, but it's a satisfying send off at least.
So, luckily, now we finally have the last installment in a theater near you, and it doesn't disappoint. It might be a bit lagging with many conversations going about amidst the trail towards assassinating President Snow, but at least it's an interesting and revealing one, especially between Katniss, Gale, and the brainwashed Peeta. The action scenes are good and tense, especially during the underground battle with the aquatic "mutt" that killed of a major likable character, and, yes, the ending perhaps can be too bittersweet and long. For sure returning director Francis Lawrence has made the post-apocalyptic proceeding (with Danny Strong of The Butler and Empire fame helping to write the screenplay) consistent with previous outings.
But first of all, we've got to admire how the Hunger Games introduced us to one of the most powerful female characters in cinema history. The story is continually is built around her strength, bravery, and compassion - the script doesn't make her "masculine" by transforming her into a tough ass heroine nor does it feminize her by making her too invested in her romantic problem, but more important is that she's human: tough, yes, but also fragile, confused, determined. She's not perfect too, which is why in Mockingjay Part 2 she tends to be made merely as an "mascot", used for political play. In short: she's a very complex character.
Jennifer Lawrence (though continuously in superserious mode throughout this movie) should thank Katniss for giving her the chance to flex some acting muscles and then some. It's showing how great an actor is by having two different persona on-screen and off screen. We all know how J-Law is in real life is, but on the silver screen she's a completely different animal, and I can't believe she's only 25 years old.
Anyway, beyond the character of Katniss, Hunger Games is also admirable because of its portrayals of war, the casualties of war, the collateral damages, and how sometimes a seemingly good leader might succumb to the old ways of his/her predecessors in order for the public to get their eye-for-an-eye. The underlying theme of The Hunger Games definitely elevates it beyond other Young Adult adaptations. Part 2 for sure brings the audience to full closure, which involves characters we've grown to love (or hate) such as Peeta Meelark (an intense Josh Hutcherson), Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman), Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields), Cressida (Natalie Dormer), President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), and, of course, the vicious President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland). Phew, that's quite a roster of actors...
But ultimately they are supporting the Girl on Fire (on-screen and off-screen): Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. It's sad her story has come to an end (save for mayybe 20 years later when they remake it or make another sequel with Katniss daughter continuing her fight), but in the meantime, just catch Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 in the theatre if you can. It might not be as good as the first or the second one, but it's a satisfying send off at least.