The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 – Movie Review

Fans of “The Hunger Games” series have eagerly been awaiting the fourth and final film, “Mockingjay Part 2” which sees Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) return to the Capital to confront President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and bring peace to the nation of Panem. Not having read the books, I was unsure how everything would play out. I will say that I am greatly satisfied with the conclusion of the blockbuster series.

At the end of the previous film, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and Johanna (Jena Malone) as well as other rebels had been rescued from the Capital. We learned that they were not only tortured but brainwashed as well. Peeta came back with a powerful urge to kill Katness, almost crushing her throat. “Part 2” begins with Katniss mending her throat and terrified by what Peeta has been transformed into.

Katniss’ plan is to go against the orders of President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) by sneaking into the Capitol to assassinate Snow. Joining Katniss are Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Clafin), Boggs (Mahershala Ali), Cressida (Natalie Dormer), Pollux (Elden Henson), Castor (Wes Chatham), and others. Once President Coin catches onto Katniss’ plan, she sends in Peeta to join them. Once the small team of rebels enter the Capitol, they must get past a series of booby traps, called pods, designed to kill them. Each pod is more terrifying than the last, however is the oil flood that I found most impressive.

The weakest part of this series for me as been the love triangle between Katniss, Gale and Peeta. It just never worked for me. The relationship between Katniss and Peeta always felt more like best friends or siblings. There is no romantic spark there. It is even less interesting with Gale as there seems to be no chemistry at all between him and Katniss. Thankfully, the rest of the story is interesting enough to let me not dwell on the love interest aspects of it.

I don’t want to give too much away when it comes to “Mockingjay Part 2” as the less you know going in, the better. The story moves at a slower pace than I was expecting, as the film in a series like this is usually more thrilling, will a whole bunch of action thrown in. This is not the case here. The final chapter in “The Hunger Games” is definitely bittersweet, but all the more satisfying because of it.

By: Marc Ferman