Film Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

In the exciting final installment of The Hunger Games series, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015) goes out with a bang.

Picking up directly where Part 1 left off, Mockingjay Part 2 opens with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) recovering from her injuries after Peeta Mellark’s (Josh Hutcherson) violent attack in the previous film. In a second attempt to bring Peeta back to the real world and out of his brainwashed state, Katniss tries to soothe him again, and it ends almost as badly as before: “She’s a monster,” Peeta screams, “You have to kill her.” –And Jennifer Lawrence’s acting skills immediately kick into full gear.

In an intense and high-energy finale, Lawrence continues her reign of stardom, proving that even action movies can contain truly brilliant performances. But this time Lawrence doesn’t stand alone in this so-called ‘actor arena’. Hutcherson’s performance is just as impressive, full of dynamics and demanding emotions. Together, Lawrence and Hutcherson take, (what would otherwise be), a film about battle, and make it into a film about war.

As usual, The Hunger Games manages to express an opinion toward all things tyrannical, military, media, and extremist. And it’s not exactly a positive one. A character we expect devotion from, instead begins to be shaped by his place in the military, and comes fearfully close to playing the puppet, in existence for the sole sake of fighting. “It’s war Katniss. It’s not personal,” he says. But it is. As it should be. And the film makes a point of this: that all war and all life lost is personal, regardless of desire or necessity. Director Francis Lawrence conjures such a performance from his actors, but also manages to evoke that same emotional opinion from his audience, as well. With dynamic shots, Lawrence [director] literally makes you look up to those who are “good,” like Katniss being shot at lower angles, (even when she’s seated), to provoke a sense of greatness and martyrdom; and those who seek destruction and power and who are, to put it simply, “bad,” (like President Snow), are shot from high angles that result in the audience physically looking down at these characters–a technique that is meant to evoke disdain and judgement. A technique that works exactly as it is meant to.

Mockingjay Part 2 also takes on the real-world media head to head by using it as a weapon in the film for the worst types of devastation. For example: the slaughtering of hundreds by the horrifyingly-playful creations of the Gamemakers in order to teach people a lesson; and these massacres are broadcasted live and require ‘mandatory viewing’ by citizens of Panem. The film presents this violent approach that the media often promotes in the real world, but the filmmakers have also chosen to combat it. Throughout the film, there is another branch of media –those journalists who put themselves directly in the line of fire to find the truth– who attempt to show what positivity can be communicated through broadcast publication. The ‘good guys’ even interrupt and override some corrupt programs to spread courage and positivity instead.

As the rebels head for the capitol, meeting an unending line of life-threatening obstacles along the way, the film also manages to send some other messages, besides just media commentary. As Katniss and her highly-trained squad conduct their mission, Peeta expresses that due to the tracker jacker venom –a poison used for “hijacking,” (or brainwashing), by the capitol– he feels like he is sleepwalking… a clear metaphor for the modern world. Beauty expectations, gluttony, and Big Brother are also presented with negative connotations in Mockingjay Part 2, and Francis Lawrence and his team continue this kind of commentary to the very end.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 offers an edge-of-your-seat experience as our heroes meet their destinies. From innovative deathtraps of the Gamemakers that are as amazing as they are devastating, to the spot on performances of each and every actor, this closer presents itself as a well-rounded, action-packed, and politically aware film. Its only flaw may be the slightly weaker interaction between the characters and greater focus on fast-paced entertainment. Nonetheless, it is a satisfying conclusion, better than the third novel itself, which loses an even greater deal of human connection than the film actually does.

“May your aim be as true as your heart is pure,” says President Coin [Julianne Moore] toward the end of the film. And The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 is a straight arrow to blockbuster glory.

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