THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART ONE

US, 2014, 123 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcheson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Elizabeth Banks, Mahershala Ali, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright.
Directed by Francis Lawrence.

After all the excitement of the original Hunger Games and its being renewed in Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 is a very sober affair. It is dark, in story and visually, with a grim perspective. It is an interim film like The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and the second part of The Hobbit series, as well as in the breaking of the last story of Harry Potter and in the Twilight films. In some ways it could be considered as a feature length trailer for the final episode.

Gone are the Hunger Games, the dividends in the forests, reportedly dressed television audience, except in the memory. This time, it is rebellion. While President Snow is still in power, and Donald Sutherland is once again sinister and cruel, he has fewer advisors, especially since Plutarch (once again reminding us of the value of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) has left him and is now adviser to the alternate President, played by Julianne Moore, a strong presence, planning both the attacks as well as the defences in the rebellion and, ultimately, making stirring and rousing speeches.

Katniss, Jennifer Lawrence still impressing us as a strong heroine, is now linked with the rebels, but still unhappy in the fact that Peeta is still imprisoned by President Snow. The young rebels are dismayed by some of his television broadcasts (interviewed by lower-key and less-dapper Stanley Tucci). They consider him a traitor. Not Katniss. She is persuaded to make a video, urging people to the rebellion but she does not impress with the rehearsals. With the appearance of Effie Trinkett and Haymitch (pleasing to see Elizabeth Banks again, though she has to make do with rebel scarves and drab dresses), and Woody Harrelson, (finding a lack of alcohol among the rebels very trying), Katniss is advised to visit some of the bombed districts. Visiting the hospital, seeing the girl and dead, she is very upset and makes an impassioned and very convincing propaganda video.

President Snow sends out another attack force and the rebels go underground. In the meantime, the decision is made for a special squad to go to rescue Peeta and bring him back. Although the mission has some success, again President Snow has sinister intentions

Gale is once again present, going on some of the dangerous missions, devoted to Katniss. She herself is devoted to Peter.

Fans fans will enjoy the film, though in a lower key fashion, Mockingjay Part 1 is a very sober affair, building up in anticipation of the final part of the story and of the series.

1. The fans of the books and the films? The presuppositions of the first films and responses?

2. The change in tone, moving from Games in the outer world and rivalries to the inner world and rebellion and siege? Rescue? The focus on the rebels and not on the Capital? A grimmer look, not gaudy like that of the crowds in the Capital?

3. The transition, Katniss and Peeta and the rebellion? Plutarch’s plans, President Coin, the rebels, Gale and his presence, the military attack, the bombings, the exhortation to the future? The film serving as a trailer for the final part?

4. The situation? The area? Kattnis and Gale? The family? President Coin in the assembly, the sentiment communications, sophisticated, weapons and surveillance? Katniss as Mockingjay? The plan to film for propaganda, her not being spontaneous, Haymitch and advice for her to go into action? The crew, the director, the sound engineer, the photographers? Gale and his presence? Katniss and her going to the district, the bombing destruction, the hospital, the wounded, her speech? Filming in anger and sadness? The president and the decisions? The experience of the bombing, the playing the propaganda films by Katniss?

5. Katniss, going home, finding the cat, the photo of her father, the family in the shelter, bringing home the cat, the sister’s delight, bonding with her mother? During the bombardments? Having to go back to get Primrose and the cat? Primrose training to be a doctor?

6. President Snow, speeches, the assistance and advice, his ruthlessness, the decision to bomb the hospital? His being denounced by Finnick, his depravity, sexual exploitation, the use of poison, the wounds in his own mouth, the antidotes? Keeping his attention so that the rescue mission could go on, Katniss keeping his focus, his revelation that he knew about the raid, letting them escape, Peter being tortured and to be used as a weapon on his return?

7. Peeta, the television interviews, the low-key presentation of the interrogator? Peeta’s words, urging peace, being denounced as a traitor? His final warning, allowing time for evacuating civilians? His being rescued, the return, his mental state, his attack on Katniss, the explanations that he was a weapon?

8. The return of Effie Trinket, her loss of fashion, at one with the rebels, uncomfortable, contributing, directing Katniss for her presentation, clothes? Her creative making do with the variety of fashion with scarves?

9. Haymitch and his return, sober, his advice for Katniss, for her being filmed in action? His help with the rebels?

10. Plutarch, his past experience with President as an advisor to President Coin, the nature of his advice, his personal fears, the bombardment?

11. Katniss, the softer side, tears, fear, for her family, her love for Peeta, gratitude to Gale?

12. The rescue mission, Gale going, Boggs, his role and his being present, active? Beetee and his controls, his skills? Success?

13. The final exhortation by the President – as a trailer for the final part of the series?