The Hunger Games has grown up. Gone is the young adult series we know and in its place is a decidedly mature film that’s complex, brilliantly filmed, and more somber than we’re used to. Mockingjay Part 1 is a an epic start to the final act of a series that has captivated so many of us.

As usual, Jennifer Lawrence shines as Katniss Everdeen, who’s an absolute mess after the events of Catching Fire. At the end of the Quarter Quell, Katniss was rescued and taken to the newly revealed underground District 13, where she now says with her mother, sister Prim, and kinda/sorta/maybe love interest Gale (Liam Hemsworth). But she’s angry – definite love interest Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) wasn’t rescued along with her and is being used as propaganda by President Snow to stop any sort of rebellion.
Mockingjay Part 1 is a film about propaganda and the media’s power of manipulation. With enough of a show, viewers will believe just about anything. Katniss too serves as propaganda for District 13 in a series of advertisements meant to inspire the other districts to rebel against the Capitol. The film may have been two hours, but it feels more like a trailer or the beginning to something else. Of course, just as Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 did, the beginning to the end is always a little less exciting. That means the story is a bit lighter, the action scenes sparse, and a heck ton of exposition.

Still, Lawrence is commanding as Katniss, especially in her moments of despair. She’s vulnerable yet strong and Lawrence has more than grown into the character. Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket proves a worthy opponent, however. Her scenes may be brief, but she offers a welcome laugh to the dark film. Both Woody Harrelson and Philip Seymour Hoffman return as Haymitch Abernathy and Plutarch Heavensbee, respectively. Harrelson is hilarious as per usual and Seymour Hoffman’s performance stings as we remember just how talented he is. Julianne Moore plays the mysterious card as President Alma Coin of District 13.

Philip Seymour Hoffman Will Not Appear In CGI In Future Hunger Games Films

Fans won’t quite recognize this latest installment as the Hunger Games they know and love, although that’s not necessarily a bad thing. For one, there is no Hunger Games and it’s a stark contrast from the first two films. Instead, we find a nation on the brink of rebellion and Katniss thrown right into the center of it. The film is darker and much more gloomy because of this, and, at times, the characters seem colder than they once were. It may be intentional, however, since so much has changed since the beginning. But the greatest absence is that of Katniss and Peeta and their screen time together, which proves just how good Lawrence and Hutcherson were at convincing us of their chemistry.

The last scene is a chilling one, although you’ll have to see the film to find out why. Bring it on, Part 2.

-Alexandra Finkel

November 20, 2014