The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Rated: M
Three out of five
Now showing
THERE are two types of sequels; one which stands up as a movie in itself and one which relies on the back story of the previous instalment.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is the latter.
As a single film it does not hold up on its own; in fact that can be said for the previous film in the Hunger Games series.
The entire series is written with one overlying story in mind and like the Suzanne Collins books, the third films relies on the audience being informed about plot points and in particular relationships between the characters, prior to entering the cinema.
Mockingjay Part 1 kicks off where the second film left off.
Katniss (Jennifer Lawr-ence) has been picked up by a military ship from District 13 after competing in the games for the second time.
Distraught about the fact Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) was left behind to face the wrath of the Capitol, she struggles to come to grips with what has happened.
While District 13’s president Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) and former head gamesmaker Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seym-our Hoffman) encourages Katniss to be the face of the revolution – the Mockingjay as they call it – it is only when Peeta appears supporting the Capital and the current dystopian regime, that she accepts.
For those who know anything about the books, you would know Mockingjay was written as one instalment.
With that in mind, heading into the film I couldn’t help but wonder whether that really was a necessary move to make.
In truth, it wasn’t.
Mockingjay Part 1 was lacking the pace which action films rely on.
There was too much of Katniss curled up in a ball feeling sorry for herself and Peeta and not enough time doing something about it.
I realise the book has a lot of self-contemplating but without the thoughts which goes with this, it just makes the film drag out.
And as for the relationship between Katniss and her friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth), there’s a lot left for the audience to presume.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is worth a watch if you’ve seen the other instalments.
For those who haven’t, be prepared to read between the lines.
