The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
Dir: Francis
Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer
Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland,
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Willow Shields, and Elizabeth Banks
136 Mintues
Lionsgate Films
War has been depicted in many ways throughout film history but
what all the best portrayals have in common are an emphasis on displaying the
acts of war with unflinching focus on the frailty of human life and the courage
of those willing to fight for what they believe in. “The Hunger Games” films
have grown over time, starting off with an introductory film that was barely
good enough to warrant a return to the sequel “Catching Fire”, which started to
find focus on how to handle the deeper narrative implications being presented.
The fact that the final film “Mockingjay” did the common franchise finale ploy
of splitting the film into two parts was annoying, offering a somewhat needless
“Mockingjay Part 1” that felt at times like an overlong setup but did a great job of building the tension of a population of people on the verge of an uprising. “Mockingjay Part 2” displays the
power of a good ending, pulling together all of the best narrative themes of
the franchise to display the dark nature of war and how it effects everything
that endures it.
The film begins right off with rebellion figurehead Katniss
Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) being treated by medical officials after surviving
an attack by brainwashed Hunger Games champion Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).
Katniss is conflicted, torn between taking vengeance and promoting peace while
also being manipulated by politicians who are playing their own self-satisfying
angles. Katniss chooses to take action, journeying on a deadly mission to
assassinate President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and bring peace to the districts
once and for all.
While the dystopian future war portrayed in the first three films
may often undercut itself with plot developments, in “Mockingjay Part 2” war is
front and center, quick and deadly, heartless and devastating. There is no time
for goodbyes, no prolonged slow motion eye gazing; it’s a flash of an explosion
and the silence of life amidst carnage. It’s strange to compliment this
technique but this structural method has a devastating poignancy for the world
being portrayed but also accomplishes a feeling of uncertainty for the familiar
characters that have been otherwise safe so far. No one is safe in war, and
that is reflected here.
The narrative suggests a world in turmoil with rebel forces from
allying districts moving into attack position at the Capitol. However not much
of this is seen because the attention seldom leaves Katniss and her mission,
this unfortunately overlooks some potentially influencing narrative devices established in "Part 1" of this film.
Still, the story is well conceived in its narrowed focus, one that takes a far
more adult turn than one might assume from a young adult novel. Katniss is a
soldier torn between doing what is right and what is necessary, a decision that
is often marred by manipulative forces that are motivated by the kind of
senseless and reckless self-serving mentality that has replayed itself
throughout history. At one point in the film an idea is proposed by a political
figure that is jaw-droppingly ludicrous yet a truthful and all-to-common
sentiment that reflects how history often repeats itself in the most dangerous
ways.
Jennifer Lawrence has grown comfortable in the leading role,
portraying Katniss with exceptional moments of confidence and uncertainty. The
two leading men vying for Katniss’ heart are Liam Hemsworth as loyal friend and
soldier Gale and Josh Hutcherson as the tortured and lethally influenced Peeta.
Both actors offer their best performances here, Hutcherson especially
contributing a portrayal that can simply be described as conflicted. But in the
end it’s Jennifer Lawrence who holds the entire film, and franchise, together.
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2” is an exciting, and
surprisingly thought-provoking, sprint to the finish line. A film that displays
a dystopian world that still reflects many of the social anxieties and
unreasoned prejudices that affect our world currently. While some of the
interesting themes get lost along the journey, “The Hunger Games” series,
especially in the finale, will be fondly remembered for crafting one of cinemas
most empowered, confident, and complicated female heroes. In the current state
of female portrayals, this aspect may be as powerful an accomplishment as
winning The Hunger Games itself.
Monte’s Rating
4.00 out of 5.00
