When Lionsgate announced that the
final installment of Suzanne Collins’ popular YA trilogy ‘The Hunger Games’ was
to be split into two parts, like many people I regarded it as just another
example of Hollywood milking a cash cow for all she’s worth. While my opinion has not changed on this
score, I must grudgingly admit that ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1’
managed to be yet another solid addition to the Hunger Games saga featuring its
charismatic and conflicted young heroine, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence).
As those familiar with the story
are aware, the ‘Hunger Games’ are over and the various districts are in full-scale
rebellion against Panem’s oppressive regime and its dictator President Snow
(Donald Sutherland), which is just as well since I don’t think I can stomach
another hunger game after two films.
Picking up where ‘Catching Fire’ left off, Katniss is whisked away
(without Peeta to her dismay) into the secret underground headquarters of the
resistance movement in District 13 and made into a symbol of the Resistance a lá Che
Guevara. Being the ever humble and
unpretentious girl that she is, she is still uncomfortable and reluctant even
after all the makeover and media hype she and Peeta were subjected to before
the Hunger Game and Quarter Quell which made her a living legend. Though a bit more languidly paced than the
previous two movies, ‘Mockingjay: Part 1’ is still a compelling and fascinating
journey as we witness Katniss’ transformation into freedom fighter and a
rallying symbol against oppression and injustice.
Academy Award winner Jennifer
Lawrence delivered another fine performance as Katniss, who not only displayed
once again her remarkable archery skills in shooting down an enemy jet but her vocal chops to boot with her rather poignant bluegrass rendition of
‘The Hanging Tree.’ Well done.
Grade: A-
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