THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY Part 1

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2.5 stars
There's something missing from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.
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In stark contrast to the first two instalments, notably the rousing Catching Fire, this build up to the final showdown is mostly a letdown. While director Francis Lawrence remains at the helm, writer Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) has been replaced by Danny Strong (The Butler) and Peter Craig (Ben Affleck's watchable The Town plus the upcoming Top Gun Two and Bad Boys Three). All perfectly serviceable stories, which is about all you can say for Mockingjay 1.

It picks up on the heels of Catching Fire as Katniss Everdine (Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook), is tapped to become the face of the rebellion. She does so on condition that her stranded friend Peter (ok, boyfriend, it's clear to everyone but her that she's desperately in love with him) is given an unconditional pardon for appearing to assist the Capital and its crackdown on the regions. It pleases few people.

Everdine is sent out into the world to create propaganda films which rebel leader Alma Coin (Julianne Moore – Maps to The Stars) hopes will foment revolution. Coin's advisor (the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman – Performance - in his final role) guides production while Everdine's erstwhile boyfriend Gail (Liam Hemsworth – Paranoia) mopes from the sidelines. As David takes on Goliath, Katniss slips into the capital to rescue Peter.

As Mockingjay 1 trudges toward the story's only surprise before throwing over to Part 2, long periods of very little hold together a couple of fairly predictable, rather familiar action sequences. Missing is the tension, the surprise, the spunk that drove the previous films. Missing is the passion and excitement that makes Katniss such a formidable character. The fire has certainly gone out of the narrative (pun intended), no doubt a result of taking one hour's worth of story and stretching it across four. The result is like being stuck in a holding pattern before a bumpy landing. And to extend the analogy, landing brings relief that it's all over and you can finally go home.

It's a disappointment given the great promise of Catching Fire. Hopefully Lawrence will refind form and bring it all back together for a final hoorah in Mockingjay 2 next year.

// COLIN FRASER

Previewed at Events Cinema, George St, Sydney on November 14, 2014


2.5 stars

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 is Austrian director Francis Lawrence’s (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) second credit for the mega-franchise and fans of the series probably won’t be disappointed as he brings this rather bleak story to the screen in fine detail. However, unless you are a totally uncritical fan, at 123 minutes it comes across as rather tedious and drawn out. And this is only Part 1 of the ultimate book of Suzanne Collins’s trilogy, as the final novel of the series has been split into two features… you know the score, but wait, there’s more!

Jennifer Lawrence reprises her role as the reluctant heroine Katniss Everdeen, but this time she blubs her way through every close-up. Not surprising really, as she is being offered the responsibility to be the poster girl of the revolution or, put another way, the saviour of mankind. Not much pressure then! She is, however, more concerned about her boyfriend Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), who was left behind when Katniss was rescued at the end of the previous instalment, and it is only when he turns up as the prisoner of her arch-nemesis President Snow (Donald Sutherland) that she agrees to become the major force in getting a message of hope delivered to the survivors of District 13.

As Tony Abbott might say, the ‘goodies’ outweigh the ‘baddies’ on screen and there are some fine performances by Woody Harrelson as Katniss’s mentor Haymitch Abernathy, Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin (adorned in a rather severe platinum-blonde wig), and the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee (in his last role and, sadly but fittingly, the recipient of the film’s dedication). The ‘baddies’, on the other hand, are led by the wonderfully malevolent Donald Sutherland (President Snow), who manages to look rather bemused and world-weary by the dire goings-on around him and, of course, the delightful Stanley Tucci as the evil sprite Caesar Flickerman.

The film’s subject is the price of freedom and the cost of war, denoting a future that is pretty bleak although, let’s face it, not too far removed from the here and now (although our Games are a bit less bloody)! We, the audience, only witness the aftermath of conflict, although there are some rather grim scenes of bodies piled up in wastelands that were once cities. The production values, including the costumes, are as dark as the story and the bright colours of the earlier outings have been paired back to emphasise the dark future that is waiting in the wings. Lorde’s terrific soundtrack song adds another dimension to the mood as well; listen out for it on the end credits.

This is a film about the future and it contains the not-so- subliminal message that, in the face of adversity, humankind must have the capacity to rely on individuals to act as catalysts, who will encourage people to rise up and face their difficulties. However, one couldn’t help but feel a tad worried if the future of mankind is wholly reliant on a 20-something who can shoot a straight arrow.

// SALT

Previewed at Events Cinema, George St, Sydney on November 14, 2014
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STARRING
Jennifer Lawrence
Josh Hutcherson
Liam Hemsworth
Phillip Seymour Hoffman

DIRECTOR
Francis Lawrence

SCREENWRITER
Peter Craig
Danny Strong

COUNTRY
USA

CLASSIFICATION
M

RUNTIME
123 minutes

AUSTRALIAN
RELEASE DATE
November 20, 2014
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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014) on IMDb
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