Review: MOCKINGJAY PART 1

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1  (ACTION-THRILLER/SCI-FI) 

3 out of 4 stars 
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Elziabeth Banks, Jeffery Wright, Stanley Tucci
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material.
123 minutes
Verdict: THE HUNGER GAMES film franchise maintains its status as the champion of the post-Harry Potter glut of 'YA adaptations' even in its weakest chapter to date, anchored by its great cast, smart social commentary and exciting (if intermittent) action, while the lucrative two-part finale strategy results in some sluggish stretches. 
YOU MAY ENJOY THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 IF YOU LIKED:
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE  (2013)
THE HUNGER GAMES  (2012)
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1  (2010)
ROBIN HOOD  (2010)
AVATAR  (2009)

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 is the first in the series based on Suzanne Collins' immensely popular books in which the titular "Hunger Games" do not in fact take place.  It's curious about this multi-film saga that as it nears its conclusion, it isn't coming full circle or waxing nostalgic in the way most final acts do (remember, even as the penultimate film, this is 'part one' of the final chapter), but instead continues to build momentum.  Like the two other titans of the young adult (YA) literature film adaptations that have come droves since the turn of the millennium, the Harry Potter series and the so-called "Twilight Saga", the final book in the series, Mockingjay, has been split in two, supposedly for the sake of the story, but with the obvious financial benefits of stretching the potential grosses to yet another movie.  HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 & 2 makes the most sense of these three franchises for splitting the final chapter, and frankly, the more easily paced, contemplative nature of both films (especially PART 1) made them some of the series' best installments.  THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 1 & 2, on the other hand, were an amazingly audacious move given that almost nothing happens in either movie, and it all built to one of the most bizarre non-climaxes in any major film franchise.  THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 is somewhere in between.  There's no problem with splitting one book into two films, as long as the two films are at least as good as a single film adapting the full story would be.  MOCKINGJAY PART 1 struggles to justify itself as a full chapter in the story, as it continues to ramp up the stakes, without the catharsis of a real climax.  Regardless, the film's askew structuring and slow pace are not enough to dethrone this series as the best of the current YA adaptations glut, and even on its own merits is recommendable thanks to a cast that continues to be top notch, and smart commentary on media, propaganda, celebrity, war and politics, among other relevant talking points.

CATCHING FIRE ended on a merciless cliffhanger, as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) survived yet another arena of the infamous Hunger Games and was rescued from the wrath of the tyrannical Capitol and constantly-scheming President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland) by a secret group of revolutionaries plotting to overthrow the government.  MOCKINGJAY PART 1 picks up right where the previous film left off, with Katniss, and the few survivors of the now-obliterated District 12, under the protection of the long thought-destroyed District 13, led by President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), a stern leader hoping to unite the other eleven districts in a revolutionary war.  Advised by Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), a former Head Gamemaker for the Capitol, Coin intends to make Katniss the figurehead in the rebellion, but Katniss is distraught at the loss of her love interest and fellow Hunger Games victor Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), who is now in the Capitol, speaking against the rebellion in a series of television appearances.
There's unfortunately little action in the film, although the few action set-pieces there are are thrilling and spectacular, mostly moments showing the spreading acts of rebellion.  It's a little funny that this is being described by some as a "dark" movie in the series, comparable to THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, at least in tone, given that this is a series that kicked off with a gladiatorial arena of juveniles forced to pick each other off in combat.  That's not to say this isn't dark.
Lawrence anchors the film, continuing to be the series' MVP, even while Katniss is no longer the motivator of the plot.  Rather, she is all but a pawn in the proceeding that now envelop the full scope of this world, while the varying forces push and pull at her and what she represents.  Donald Sutherland has only a few moments of screen time, but his character is nonetheless deepened significantly, and he does his Donald Sutherland thing to chillingly sinister effect.  It's also the penultimate big screen performance for Philip Seymour Hoffman (it's his final finished performance, but as PART 2 was still filming at the time of his death, scenes he hadn't finished will be altered with stand-ins, special effects and/or script changes in that film), and even if it isn't his meatiest role by far, it reminds one how unfortunate his recent death was.
The pacing is definitely sluggish at times, with most of the film revolving around plotting and establishing relationships, essentially what the first halves of both previous films were, but padded out to a feature length (the film is notably the shortest of the films thus far).  In its best moments, MOCKINGJAY PART 1 piques the mind with its use of political themes, such as the contrasting use of Katniss as the spokesperson of the rebellion in films shot specifically as propaganda, and Peeta as a spokesperson for the Capitol.  This series thrives on a mature complexity of characters and themes that are absent from most of its imitators (*cough* DIVERGENT *cough* THE MAZE RUNNER *cough*), and with the enlisted talent, even that is (barely) enough.