The last entry in a franchise always has two parts. Always
two parts. Harry Potter – two parts. Twilight – two parts. And now, the Hunger
Games – two parts. TWO PARTS! TWO PARTS! TWO PARTS! And the problem with these
entries – apart from spending double the money on seeing them – is that the
first one always kind of... sucks.
So, the latest entry into this sadistic-violence-for-teens
franchise is the catchily titled The Hunger Games colon Mockingjay dash Part 1.
And, well, It feels a little dragged out. I mean, this movie is 123 minutes
long already and there’s going to be another one of these. That’s 246 minutes
of a movie that’s book is as long as its previous instalments. I understand
that in the previous films they missed out some key plot points (i.e. in the
first one, they all seem to look very well fed. Where’s the hunger?), but that doesn’t
mean they stretch out this book so long it’s no fun to watch the films anymore.
And there not doing it for the story, it’s for the money! Francis Lawrence, you’re
doing a Hobbit on us!
However, the one thing that really drives this movie is the performances.
Josh Hutcherson’s lack of material as Peeta really allows Jennifer Lawrence to
outperform herself as Katniss. Emotionally, it’s difficult to watch as she
tries to cope with the trauma that’s surrounding her. And the love triangle
between Gale (played by Thor’s brother Liam Hemsworth, who finally gets
something to do), Peeta and Katniss only seems forced a little bit (unlike
Twilight). Sam Claflin is also excellent in the film, as Finnick. Plus, whoever
put acting heavyweights Julianne Moore and the late, great Phillip Seymour
Hoffman in the movie is a genius – they really stand out.
However, the woeful lack of action really shows. I mean,
there are only four proper scenes of it, and they feel like a relief from the
political overtones. I do not have a problem with these serious sections but
you do need some action.
It’s a little stretched out; whilst watching it, I couldn’t
help but think about have much better it would have been in just one part. However, it is a fun movie
and you should enjoy it - even with the severe lack of action!
3/5
I won't watch it
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