Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Willow Shields, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin, Jeffery Wright With Stanley Tucci and Woody Harrelson Directed by Francis Lawrence So, another finale that’s being split in two, Thank you Harry Potter! As much as one can be annoyed by this current practice of taking the final part of a book series and splitting it into two movies, this one has at least one little benefit. Ladies and Gentlemen, Ms Jennifer Lawrence. The annoyance, of course, is we’re waiting a full year for the second half. Not a week, like on TV, or six months for a nice early Summer blockbuster, but a year as the final instalment is scheduled for November 20, 2015. Let’s not even get started on The Hobbit being split to three butt-numbing movies. I can’t say anything about splitting the book as I still have yet to read it; decided to let the movies play out before reading it so as to not have any expectations where the story - movie-wise - is concerned. It might also beg the question if “The Hunger Games” is relevant to the overall title since the games are no more. At least, on the grand overt scale, but games are still being played. As Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) had put it in the previous instalment, and echoed here by President Snow (Donald Sutherland), “Moves and counter-moves.” The games are political this time, with the hearts and minds of the citizens of Panem being the ultimate prize. Fear vs Hope form a simple thematic standpoint. Being of science fiction stock, there are other themes at play with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) being the central figure which both sides attempt to manipulate in various ways; either to build her up to more than she is or to tear her down to insignificance. However you want to view that, it’s Jennifer Lawrence’s performance that holds the movie together as she carries the movie on her shoulders. Even though she is ably supported by a stellar supporting cast of heavyweight performers, Lawrence shines with an emotive performance that is truly remarkable and incredibly nuanced, especially given the complex emotional situations Katniss is thrown into, more than proving she is truly a cut above the rest of her generation of young actresses. Given the nature of the previous instalments, the pacing here is very different with only one central key action beat. Where we had the build up to and the games themselves before, you’re sometimes left wondering not just what’s to come - because it’s obvious - but when and how. For those who read the book, you’re probably wondering where the cut-point would be. Screenwriters, Peter Craig and Danny Strong manage to keep thing interesting while director Francis Lawrence achieves the impossible in giving us a bigger picture of the dystopian future. More of the other districts is shown while the Capitol is practically off-screen for most of the proceedings. The elaborate high-class bombarding designs that permeated throughout the previous films are replaced by bombed out war-zones, monochromatic living quarters and dank, depressive locales; all the more to emphasise the hardships of the citizens in the outlying districts. A remarkable flip of the coin from the glitz and glamour of the Capitol and yet, all part of the same world. Kudos to cinematographer Jo Willems and Production Designer Philip Messina. In all, this is a movie dense with ideas and yet, lean in how the information is delivered, keeping things fairly tight and reasonably paced without lagging. With a slew of new characters being introduced as Katniss settles into District 13, most of the returning cast gets sidelined. Sam Claflin’s Finnick sporadically appears, wheeled out as needed. While despite being in the credits, Jena Malone’s Johanna is missing for a huge majority of the movie. Liam Hemsworth finally gets some screen time with a meatier role as does Willow Shields as Katniss’ sister, Prim. Julianne Moore does well as President Alma Coin and Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Plutarch stalks about the edges of almost every other scene, a grim reminder that the great actor is no longer with us. Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta appears sporadically as well, but each appearance is a remarkably nuanced and calculated performance. As mentioned before, it’s Lawrence’s show as she dominates every scene she appears in, proving exactly why Katniss is the one that everyone else has to rally around. And because of that…and another killer final scene, almost a reflection of the impressive close-up from the last instalment... it’s going to be a long year to wait for the finale. Rating: **** /5 Barnes and Noble / Amazon / Book Depository / ISBNS Net (for best deals) E-Bookshop / Lybrary / aLibris / Blackwell
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