“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2,” the final film of the adventure trilogy based on the best-selling post-apocalyptic book series “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, hit theaters Nov. 20. The opening weekend premiere generated $101 million and is expected to continue to rise over the holiday season.
While breaking up the finale of the franchise into two parts seems unnecessary, Jennifer Lawrence’s performance carried the action and emotion of the film.
The film begins right where director Francis Lawrence left the audience off–stunned. Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is strangled by her former star-crossed lover, who helped her survive the annual Hunger Games twice.
The Capitol of the nation of Panem forces one teenage boy and girl from its 12 districts to annually compete in an arena televised nationally, in which only one fighting survivor wins. However, Katniss and her comrade tribute, Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson, have defied the odds, now working on a different mission.
Katniss has become a rebel symbol known as the Mockingjay. Lawrence embraces her role, bringing both vulnerability and heroine characteristics. Lawrence’s portrayal may even serve as a role model for movie-goers as well.
A documentary crew and rebel military unit accompanies Katniss, along with Peeta and Gale Hawthorne, played by Liam Hemsworth.
Complicating the mission further, all the tributes struggle from post-traumatic stress disorder. The entire crew endures dangerous traps set up every few feet, as well as the moral choices required to potentially save millions of people.
“The Hunger Games Mockingjay – Part 2” explores the various mental processes and subsequent behaviors of war victims. The last film of the series brought closure to circumstances the characters have been involved in previously.
A dominant part of the film is the journey underground in cramped quarters with fight scenes in challenging situations. The claustrophobia effect foreshadows the characters struggling to breathe, cut off from the resources available in past films.
Audiences will see intense special effects in fight scenes. Amid all the action, audiences will also witness romance and camaraderie, giving each viewer a theme to enjoy. The final chapter of this series is a must-see for “Hunger Games” fans and movie buffs.
