The Hunger Games movies have become one of my favorite, so I was very excited to see Mockingjay part 1. So many questions needed to be answered for me. One being, what the heck happened to Peeta?
The movie as a whole had a very different feel to it than the others. It was dark and gritty. It was obvious that Katniss is coming undone and things will never be the same. The resistance is growing and the Capital is preparing. Peeta is gone and everyone is adjusting to their new home, District 13. Katniss becomes the poster girl for the resistance and learns that her defiance has cost so many, especially her district.
Finally, we learn Peeta is alive (if you read the book you already knew this and was patiently waiting) but is being held by the Capital. Let me just tell ya, some of those scenes were the most emotional. They were raw and Josh Hutcherson’s acting was spot-on.
The movie was dark, but I was thankful for Effie Trinket, played by Elizabeth Banks. She was our comic relief, not that Katniss didn’t have some zingers too! (The scene with Buttercup, priceless!) Effie was true to form and her transformation was jaw dropping. It was different from what I was use to, which made the film more interesting for me.
One of my favorite scenes was when Katniss, Jennifer Lawrence, sings by the river. That song….ugh…it is awesome! It stuck with me and now has become my ringtone! LOL! I love how she started the song, but the resistance picked it up and continued to sing it as they brought hell to the bridge. Incredible. Powerful.
President Snow is one of the creepiest, vengeful old men I have ever had the displeasure of knowing. That is exactly what I felt as I watched his character develop more on the big screen. I kept thinking….ewww, you dirty old man! I loved it! LOL!
So, the ending was explosive. Jennifer Lawrence’s acting was so raw, so emotional, and so spot-on that there was no denying how wonderful of an actress she truly is. I have to say that all the actors and actresses chosen to be a part of The Hunger Games as a whole have been wonderful.
I have the distinct feeling Mockingjay part 1 is the calm before the storm. We need to prepare for November of 2015. While the movie was very different from the others and more explanatory than action pact, it still was good in my opinion and I kind of like that they are easing us into the in your face ending that is right around the corner!
I gave it two big thumbs up and 5*!
This scene……ugh….the feels…right?