The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (12A)

Directed by Francis Lawrence
Starring Jennifer Lawrence
On general release from 19th November 2015

Reviewed by Redskye

This is the second part of the third film or the fourth film of the Hunger Games trilogy - yes the numbering is a little confusing.

Part Two starts exactly where Part One finished and fortunately I missed all the tedious adverts. As I took my seat Peeta (John Hutcherson) was having his straitjacket moment having been rescued at the end of Part One. Having watched Part One the night before, and left unimpressed, I was hoping for something more in Part Two, the story end.

Fortunately Part Two is more engaging than the previous two films. Our central character Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has developed and become more assertive. The special effects are mostly appropriate including the moment I jumped during one of the underground battle scenes.

Katniss is now referred to as the ‘Mockingjay’ - the symbolic figure of the revolution, and now public face of the Panem war of liberation from the annual Hunger Games. The war has begun because of ongoing destruction being carried out on the districts by the Capitol due to spreading uprisings, originally inspired by Katniss’ public refusal to kill Peeta in the original Hunger Games tournament.

Katniss realises that wannabe President Coin (Julianne Moore), who is pulling all the strings in the war, increasingly appears ruthless and little different from the current oppressor, President Snow (Donald Sutherland), with growing suspicion of business as usual post war. Katniss’ sister and mother are both killed in the storming of the Presidential Palace and Katniss is almost killed as well.

After the victory the suggestion of a post-war Hunger Games tournament comes as a shock and surprise, but Katniss seemingly goes along with it. At the execution of President Snow, with her bow ready to let loose – who is to die?

This is the resolution point of the film. The closing scenes felt too long but nevertheless a pleasant close, before the end credits rolled to a now almost empty room.

While it is a predictable Hollywood film there are plenty of thought provoking scenes. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic journey and the most satisfying big budget film I’ve seen in years. Visually it’s impressive and highly recommended.

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Sorry Comments Closed

Comment left by johno on 10th December, 2015 at 10:39
fact or fiction is the boycott off now, can we all patronise these establishments and partake of their festive treats without shame solidarity forever.

Comment left by Redskye on 10th December, 2015 at 12:11
John, glad you raised this. I haven't attended a single event or seen a film at FACT since 'we' a Nerve majority collectively agreed to uphold an organisational boycott as was printed in our last (non-Calendar) magazine in early 2014. I've not seen a cinema film at FACT since early January 2014, the date of my last Nerve film review. I saw this film over at 'The Light' cinema over in New Brighton, where I've seen a few films over the past couple of months at concession prices. http://newbrighton.lightcinemas.co.uk/hunger-games-part-2 Holding the line 100% has meant not going to the cinema in Liverpool for nearly two years. It meant for me on principle personally boycotting the only affordable cinema here in Liverpool, whether that was a free ticket for Nerve review, concession priced ticket or 2-4-1 offer. I believe you have to accept the consequences of abiding with collective, political and personal principles, otherwise we're not principled at all.