Review: Mockingjay Part 2

War is hell. So are love triangles.

We pick up right where we left off in Mockingjay Part 1. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is recovering from being attacked by Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) who has been turned into a weapon against her by President Snow. (Donald Sutherland) Katniss begins to disagree with President Coin's (Julianne Moore) refusal to put her on the front lines to fight, so she takes matters into her own hands. She infiltrates the Capital along with a few familiar faces.

The supporting cast has a lot less to do this time around. Stanley Tucci and Gwendoline Christie have one scene a piece. Willow Shield's Primrose only has a few, same with Sam Caflin's Finnick and Jena Malone's Johanna. They sit out good portions of the movie. This film focuses so heavily on Katniss and her vendetta against Snow that nearly everyone else falls aside. 

Personally, I've always thought the first half of the Mockingjay novel was terribly boring. I was looking forward to the most interesting part to be adapted, so I was taken by surprise at how many problems this movie still managed to have. I already touched on the supporting players being pushed aside. Katniss and Peeta are the only ones whose feelings are even dwelled on. And speaking of not dwelling on other things - this film treats many of the big deaths as afterthoughts. One is spiced up a bit, the rest just happen and we move on. It's frustrating. My biggest gripe was the way the film was actually shot. It's as if they used some sort of filter to make everything darker, which makes sense in a war movie, but things are so dark that there's long stretches of the film where you can barely see what anyone is doing. And while the film did a great job at highlighting how awful war is, it also brought way too much attention to how silly the entire Katniss/Peeta/Gale love triangle really was. I already hated how they just threw away Katniss and Gale's friendship in the novel, the movie makes it stick out like a sore thumb how hard they tried to circumvent the two of them actually having a legitimate conversation about it. 

Even with it's flaws, I'm glad I saw Mockingjay 2. It's a series that wasn't perfect, but was a good read. I also have to point out what a powerhouse Jennifer Lawrence is. Yes, she can be obnoxious in interviews but when it's time for her to deliver, she does. Everything weighs heavily on Katniss and Lawrence shows it every second. 

Recommended: Yes, you already watched the other 3. Might as well. 

Grade: C+

Memorable quote: "If I had to put you through it all again to have this outcome, I would." - Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) 


Comments

  1. So my BO$$ only has a few scenes and that is it? My birthday-woman deserves better than that. Fuck you J-Law!!!! The BO$$ will make you squeal like a bitch! After all, THE BO$$ ALWAYS GET WHAT SHE WANTS.....

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    1. I think she has 3 scenes, she's very good in those scenes but Johanna is even more underused here than she was in tje book. They completly cut the scenes where they train Katniss and Johanna to be combat ready.

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  2. Ugh. I feel obligated to see this...your C+ review doesn't give me hope that it'll be worth $10 entry fee though...

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    1. I went on student night and paid $5 so it wasn't bad. Go on that night if your theater has it. lol

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  3. damn. i love this series, but the ending was more about war effects than any silly love triangle, at least in the books.

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    1. It shows the effects of war well, but the love triangle is way too contrived. It always was, but it sticks out so badly in this film.

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  4. I've really struggled about whether to see this in theatres or wait to see it later. I's a little disappointing the series didn't go out with a bang.

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  5. Hey, good review. I definitely agree about the deaths being poorly handled. There's so many notable deaths but there's hardly time to appreciate any of them, hope that doesn't sound to serial killer like. I liked the ending of the movie very much but felt the middle was a bit watered down. This film felt very unbalanced with either too much action or not enough politics. I was sad when it ended, I'm gonna miss the girl on fire.

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    1. Lol no, not too serial killer like. They really handled the fall out of them poorly. I'll miss her too, I just wish Mockingjay would've been better.

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  6. Mockingjay Part 1 (the film at least - not read the novel) was definitely boring, but I'll probably check this out on DVD.

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    1. This was such a disappointment. Now I'm reminded all over again. lol

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