Satisfying Build-up to the Grand Finale

Rating: 7/10 (29 December 2014)

The Hunger Games-Mockingjay Part 1 is an immensely moving first half of the conclusion to this successful franchise.
Jennifer Lawrence delivers what she has been delivering throughout The Hunger Games franchise: a strong character whose reactions to certain situations are crystal-clear and performance is un-cringeworthy. She, as always, leads the cast. Another actor who stood out from the crowd for me had to be Josh Hutcherson, due to the dramatic change in atmosphere he added to the story. He and Lawrence work perfectly together, and the scene involving their scuffle was executed well.
Despite the great tension that occurs every now and then, the pacing is a little sluggish, saved by Jennifer Lawrence's exceptional acting skills. Personally, I believe that this movie achieves what every first part of a franchise finale should achieve: intrigue the viewer into desiring to watch the second part, which is exactly what it has done for me.