While the overriding themes of The Hunger Games novels always centered on the politics set in a dystopian future supposedly signaling the path we’ve laid out for ourselves, the films have leaned more on the unintended consequences that shape the world the series is set in. The disappointment from those repercussions always seems to surprise everyone integral to the story, as if courage and a strong sense of perseverance will get people through even the toughest times, only to see the consequences show up almost in a taunting or mocking manner.
That theme permeates Mockingjay, Part 1 from the very beginning. While the intent is to show just how much needs to be sacrificed in order to achieve ambitious goals such as the overthrow of an oppressive government, those issues become tantamount to showing just how many things can be piled up for one person to overcome; a dichotomy of one person representing the greater good while questioning just how much she wants to be a part of that greater good.
In the first Hunger Games film, Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen balanced a fine line between courage and naivete. While she wasn’t a fan of what The Capital was doing to the 13 districts of Panem, she only showed courage when the people around her dictated it. The consequences of her actions happened right in front of her for the most part, and as the world of Panem grew to incorporate more than just District 12 and the games themselves, the idea of Katniss Everdeen: Reluctant Hero became more evident. The problem became just how many obstacles had to be put in Everdeen’s way in order for her to reach a goal.
That continued in the sequel, Catching Fire, where Katniss dealt with dual love interests, a return to the Games and the realization that everything happening around her, whether she liked it or not, was in response to her every move. Unintended consequences continued to pile up, but the brief bits of courage she showed with certain acts of defiance became the calling card for an uprising to make her the symbol of a rebellion. Whether she liked it or not. There was always consequence, even if Katniss did something she never meant to do.
There are plenty of layers to Katniss. The problem is that the story itself becomes so long-winded that it begins to tire you out waiting for her to grow and reveal how those layers changed her. That has to do with Mockingjay becoming yet another movie to have its finale split into two pieces, following the popular practice put in place by the Harry Potter and Twilight films.
Economically, it’s going to crush at the box office, simply because the story (and Lawrence) are so popular that these movies are a license to print money. Early estimates have the film killing for at least $130 million at the box office on opening weekend, with $170-$180 million in range at the high end. This would easily make it the biggest opening in a horrible year for Hollywood box office, and among the top openings in history. If she’s the savior we hope she’ll be one day, Hollywood is bowing at the Altar of Katniss.
But the third film drags and drags. Lawrence has grown to become the top young actress going today, and with this being her third go-around with Katniss, she’s obviously comfortable in the role, even if the subject matter runs into some deus ex machina scenarios.
As haunting as her singing “The Hanging Tree” is, and with it being as anticipated an arrival in the series as anything else, it just becomes another way to advance the story along as opposed to it being a part of who she is. Its irony isn’t lost in a series dedicated to those who are thrust into situations they wish they never had to be in. Lawrence obviously shows off her talents in such an easily accessible role, giving nuance to a character that bounces back and forth between bravery and self-doubt.
That said, the movie gives more to the supporting cast here than in the other two films, and for the most part, the roles are played very well.
Obviously, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s role as Plutarch Heavensbee was heavily anticipated, considering it was his final role and he performed well enough to satisfy fans of his. Julianne Moore’s President Alma Coin eats up a lot of screen time, with Moore another strong woman in a story based upon a feminist protagonist. Their scene near the end of the film, where Coin talks lovingly of the traits Katniss possesses that have helped her survive everything to this point, paints the portrait of what Katniss could be later in life.
Liam Hemsworth’s Gale Hawthrone gets an expanded role here, but wasn’t given much of a chance to do anything outside of his role in telling the tale of how District 12 fell. Otherwise, he plays a jilted lover who doesn’t quite believe that Katniss cares as much as he hopes. There’s this sense that this would be his chance to step out and become a true partner with Lawrence, but the material he gets doesn’t allow that opportunity.
But the biggest winner of all in this movie is Josh Hutcherson. For the first time in the series, Peeta Mellark’s story becomes as important as the story told about Katniss. The unintended consequences of returning to the Quarter Quell see him become a symbol of The Capital’s resolve and a traitor to those in the rebellion.
The role he plays here seems to be so much more challenging than any other in the film, as the other major characters really build their stories through Katniss. For Peeta, the story gets told in bits and pieces, but the trauma he goes through between those scenes builds up to a frightening finale, as President Snow’s big plan becomes apparent in an ending that makes you feel as bad for Peeta as you do hopeful for Katniss.
The problem with the ending is that the film would be much better overall had it become the crescendo’s peak of a longer movie. There’s not a lot of exposition, but there are drawn out sequences that would have played out much better if the two parts became one. However, it’s a lot like complaining about professional sports leagues having seasons that are too long or playoffs that don’t mean as much. This is the new craze in Hollywood (Remember that the third Avengers movie, Infinity War, will have two parts) and you have to take the film at face value considering this is the new normal.
The other parts in the movie are played well enough, but none really stand out. Jeffrey Wright’s Beetee Latier gets his “Q” moment and shows off his various scientific gifts, Woody Harrelson’s Haymitch Abernathy makes the most of his screen time. And even with her role in Game Of Thrones being all the rage, Natalie Dormer’s turn as Cressida is somewhat empty outside of her reason for being there in the first place. Since I haven’t read the books, her becoming a bigger part of the story will probably be more apparent come the second installment.
All in all, it just seems like everyone is standing in place waiting for the true climax of this story to make itself known. The story of feminism and resolve became the calling card of Katniss, but the problem is that she truly shines when she’s not afraid to be herself. I understand that her journey as a reluctant hero must have some roadblocks along the way, but she can’t be this reluctant forever. She will get her chance to shine in the finale, but the journey to get there hasn’t been nearly as exciting as the glimpses we’ve seen of her truly being who we all hoped she was.
