If you are the type of person who enjoys waiting two hours on the runway before your plane takes off, then run, don’t walk, to Mockingjay Part I.
I am a fan of the books, as well as the first two films of this series, but Mockingjay was my least favorite book of the trilogy. The producers decided to make as much money as possible, so they turned the Mockingjay book into a two-part movie. Unfortunately, there is not enough plot, suspense, or depth to pull this off.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is now in District 13, an underground fortress, having been rescued from the Games. Also at District 13 are most of the major characters from the first two films, including Gale, Haymitch, Plutarch and Effie. Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) has been captured and is in the Capital being used by President Snow (Donald Sutherland) as a propaganda weapon to quell the nascent rebellion taking place in the other Districts.
The one new character, the President of District 13, Alma Coin, (Julianne Moore) wants Katniss to embrace the Mockingjay persona and become the symbol of the rebellion, with the hope that she will inspire the citizens of the other Districts to join up with the rebels so the revolution can be victorious. The Capital is aware of their plans and is launching attacks against District 13 in order to end the rebellion before it has a chance to gain momentum.
Almost nothing of substance happens, although I broke my personal best for the number of times I was watch-glancing during a movie!
If you think you must see all the movies of the series (as I did) then go, but expect to be beyond bored. Otherwise, I would wait for Mockingjay Part II, which I anticipate will be much better.
Rating- 6.0 – Not even worth renting
Dave
