Lionsgate
2015 Color 136 Mins.
Sci-fi/Thriller
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Donald Sutherand, Jullianne Moore, Jena Malone, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Willow Shields, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Claflin and Stanley Tucci star.
Written by Suzanne Collins
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Rated PG-13 for language violence and gore.
It's been a long road since the first Hunger Games hit theaters and now we find ourselves in the final stretch of things. When the franchise began Ms. Lawrence wasn't very well known despite an Oscar nomination but she's since become a full fledged movie star with now multiple Oscar nominations and one win. When going into the final addition to this franchise it's hard not to feel the fatigue that set in from the last film. There's really no reason why they should have been split up especially with the limited amount of story they had to go on. That being said the last one wasn't all bad it did have it's moments, but didn't feel like a complete film. Although more successful in this final chapter there is still a feeling of slight in-completion. The last two installments would have made one great film without a doubt with some editing and fine tuning. Instead we are left with the first being pretty good and the second being very good instead of great. The movie picks up right where the last one left off. Peeta is still a train wreck. Katniss is still trying to process everything and be that person for everyone and Gail is still useless. With a prime intent to assassinate President Snow Katniss journeys to the capitol and undergoes with a squad of soldiers the most sadistic hunger games of them all.It all culminates in a grim but realistic fashion that has a surprising amount of depth. I'm just happy they stuck to the book and didn't wuss out. Showing the horrors of war and the manipulation of the public through politics. It's a surprisingly insightful watch which matches or maybe exceeds the subtext of the first two films. This time around the traps are more horrific than ever from Meat Grinders to disintegration rays to hot oil and grotesque creatures. There's a scene filled with so much suspense and intensity I nearly ripped my boyfriend's arm off. In the end it's a satisfactory conclusion but I still don't feel it can stand on it's own as an individual film. It definitely improves upon the action quotient of the previous installment but looses some of the development and investment along the way. Scenes that should have more impact feel a little rushed over but are still effective nonetheless. Lawrence of course shines even more so this time around than any other chapter. She infuses Katniss with fierce kinetic energy, making her vulnerable and strong but always relatable. Hutcherson is also great this time around as he has been in every movie as Peeta. He really adds layers of emotion of devotion to each of his scenes. Banks a little odd in the previous installment feels more herself here and although she doesn't have much to do she has one solid final scene. The rest of the cast is fine but t just don't feel like they've been given much to do. All in all Hunger Games has been an impressive franchise never afraid to show the ugly side of the material like so many other Hollywood productions. That approach alone makes it one of the most satisfying and intelligent series and one that will be deservedly remembered. ****/5
THE HUNGER GAMES: This is the film that set it all up and it is also in my opinion the best of the bunch. The directorial focus lacking in the other productions made the proceedings feel more immersive and relatable. The film established each of our characters and gave them dimensions way beyond their years. Besides the film's brilliant execution it also possesses a disturbing emotional resonance throughout. Never glorifying the violence and sort of making the audience pay for wanting to see it. It is without a doubt one of the best movies of it's kind ever made. *****/5
THE HUNGER GAMES CATCHING FIRE: That being said this second entry is nearly as good as the original in a completely different way. It's both glossier and more ugly than the first. The film does a nice job of upping the action quotient in truly stunning ways and also manages to further develop the characters and the storyline making every moment really matter and giving the film an even more intense emotional resonance than the first chapter. My only gripe is with the films sometime confident and too glitzy execution****.75/5
THE HUNGER GAMES MOCKINGJAY PART 1: What should have been the most emotional and intriguing chapter in the franchise feels stretched out and disconnected to an extent. Although the film does have some truly effective sequences and is successful in furthering each character's exploits some times in not the best way. It all just feels a bit cut short when something big finally happens the credits roll. ***.5/5
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