HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1

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Let me just say first and foremost, I wasn’t a fan of the first two movies.  But I have an obligation to remain (somewhat) objective here.  After all, this series is easily set up to be the next Twilight…or Harry Potter; up to and including the fanfare and, coincidentally, the split final segment.  That said, we are not reviewing the first two movies – we are reviewing The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One.

We begin, fittingly, soon after Catching Fire left us.  Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has singlehandedly destroyed all that is The Hunger Games.  The Hunger Games were, if you recall, an annual tournament where the children of each District are offered up to fight-to-the-death.  As long as they comply, the Capitol (who runs everything) will guarantee peace.  But in her daring escape in the second flick, Katniss was forced to leave her fiancé Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and the other previous surviving victors behind.  Now we find Katniss hospitalized in District 13 after her home District of 12 is left in ruins by the Capitol, specfically one person her defiance has upset the most, President Snow (Donald Sutherland).  

The leader of District 13 Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) has a plan.  Use the inspirational Katniss to lead a rebellion to take down the Capitol once and for all by filming a few short videos that would be transmitted to all the remaining Districts, showing Katniss providing a motivational speech and have everyone stand up at once and fight.  The only problem is Katniss finds out Peeta is still alive from segments broadcast to everyone by the Capitol.  Unfortunately, Peeta has been convinced by Snow to tell them to stand down.  While this causes rumblings, Katniss’ feelings for Peeta lead her to set up a rescue mission to save Peeta, as well as her family, and the survivors of the last Games who were all taken captive by Snow’s men after her escape.  Now, with an army on both sides of the rebellion, can Katniss’ fleeting motivation be enough to overcome the powerful Capitol, take down President Snow, and retrieve the rest of the prisoners? Or will the guns of the mighty overcome the will of the few?

I had a hard time (like the others) getting into this one.  The action was decent but Katniss’ character shows only brief glimpses of leadership then relies on others to tell her what to do.  The dialogue was also weak, as conversations with Katniss and Gale (Liam Hemsworth) were spoken like they were reading cue cards, to the point it was laughable.  I don’t know if signals were crossed when translating this to film (as Hollywood does well), because people seem to enjoy the books.  However, I am not reviewing the books, I am reviewing the movie – and to me this flick may only be directed to those faithful to the literature and probably won’t gain any new fans.