Our special guest teen reviewer Yasmin returns for the third instalment of the book-to-big screen Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Game: Mockingjay – Part 1.
I’m not sure if it was the slushie and excessive amounts of popcorn but if I’m being honest, The Hunger Games Mockingjay – Part 1 has left me feeling a little sick to my stomach.
I think it’s the eerie, futuristic context that makes it all that much more daunting, leaving you to question the line between fact and fiction and the concepts of the future of humankind that author Suzanne Collins has proposed here. I felt a little sickened by the similarities between the movie and current real-life situations. (Like the concept of Peeta being filmed by the Capitol, after being captured, and being forced to say a number of things on camera… sound familiar?)
Media manipulation and influences from idols and movements is also evident throughout the film, as it is within modern society. We see that people’s beliefs are often the driving force behind their actions, so in saying that, if you can influence and change what people believe in and who they look to for guidance, you ultimately have full control.
Mockingjay begins with Katniss in District 13 and you instantly see the further damage the Quarter Quell, that epic warrior games introduced in the second Hunger Games instalment Catching Fire, has done to her. It is in these emotional times and scenes of devastation, trauma and horror in which I believe Jennifer Lawrence has her most exceptional performances. It is clear that she is still furious that they saved her instead of Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and rescuing him is a lingering goal throughout the entire film.
One of the most memorable scenes for me was when they attempted to create propaganda videos of Katniss (Lawrence) with special effects and scripted lines and it is clear that the true message is concealed behind the manufactured, fake emotions. Then, it is when we see Katniss screaming out at the Capitol after they have bombed a makeshift hospital (full of unarmed men, women and children that we had seen just moments earlier), after they discovered she was there. There was one line that for me, was one of the most memorable. “You see,” Katniss says and gestures to a burning flag from the Capitol, her tone deadly and croaky at times – full of emotion – “Fire is catching. And if we burn, you burn with us.” In that moment it was very clear to see that this was the true Mockingjay that people would rally behind.
The soundtrack was quite good, with a number of songs from the previous movies and the graphics were very impressive. One thing I would have liked to see was more development with some of the characters such as Finnick (Sam Claflin) as the movie is mostly about the planning of the rebellion, Katniss’s image and role in the movement, the uprisings and riots against the Capitol and the rescuing of the tributes. Also, I had quite a different ending in mind although it still ended quite powerfully, making most of the audience gasp and groan. Another element that I really enjoyed was the continual mentioning of the idea of a fire spreading and becoming more powerful, with a number of statements made which I think metaphorically reflected the concept of the film.
Underpinning all of that is the idea that Katniss has become the ‘mockingjay’ and the face of the rebellion as people need someone to believe in and rally behind. She becomes a symbol of the uprising. Initially she refuses but eventually agrees under the conditions that Peeta and the other tributes, including Finnick’s lover Annie (played by Australian Stef Dawson), that were captured by the Capitol are to be rescued at the earliest opportunity.
Despite quite little action, I believe the undertone of tension that built up throughout the film was necessary for Part 2 (which I’m so excited for) to be most effective. Katniss goes through a major emotional rollercoaster and you can’t help but feel some of her pain and anguish. The Capitol’s plan is revealed and explained through the manipulation of Peeta; it was awful to see him in each video looking worse and worse, to the point where he looked so scary, the image is still lingering in my head. It is then that Katniss realises that the more she fights and promotes the rebellion, the more they hurt Peeta.
Similar to the way she makes the cat belonging to her sister Prim (Willow Shields) chase after a light on the floor, she realises she is being taunted by the Capitol as they use him against her. It is now that saving Peeta is the ultimate priority and (SPOILER ALERT) when they do… well, good luck for that scene, it’s not what you would expect. Just remember, “It’s the things we love most that destroy us” – President Snow.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 is in cinemas across Australia today.
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