The First MOCKINGJAY Feels Like a Major Departure for the Franchise

Rating: 7/10 (7 November 2015)

The saga of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and the growing rebellion against the capitol of the fictional nation Panem continues in THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART I. A franchise aimed to teenaged girls and, here I am, three movies deep and undoubtedly going to watch the grand finale. Movies based on young adult novels generally send me running (I've never seen the Twilight movies or the Divergent movies, and I never intend to), but I can't deny that this series is actually done really, really well. I actually really enjoyed CATCHING FIRE (the second of the series) and it got me excited to see this one. The movie begins immediately after the previous events, where we saw Katniss being airlifted out of the Quarter Quell games after literally blowing the lid off the whole operation with an electrified arrow that shorted out the force field around the game field. We rejoin her in the mythical District 13; thought to be an unlivable wasteland following a previous rebellion, District 13 operates in tight military fashion from underground bunkers. Far from dead, the inhabitants are going strong and planning the next move against the Capitol. Support for the rebellion is growing in the other districts despite President Snow's (Donald Sutherland) declaration that any sign of dissent be eliminated with extreme prejudice. Now the rebellion wants to rally the people together under the symbol of the Mockingjay/Katniss. But Katniss is suffering a bit of post-traumatic stress from the games and she's worried about Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), who we know had been left behind following Katniss's rescue. MOCKINGJAY 1 is the beginning of the end, where Katniss must rise up to meet her responsibility as a figurehead for rebellion even if it means earning President Snow's personal vengeance.
First impression of MOCKINGJAY 1, it's a major departure in style from the previous two movies. HUNGER GAMES and CATCHING FIRE were vibrant films, with bright colors all over the scenes in the Capitol and then the beautifully shot wilderness in the course of the games. MOCKINGJAY 1 is the depressing opposite. This is a movie about flickering remains of hope and it wants you to feel the same oppressive dread as the inhabitants of District 13. Gone is the bright wilderness in favor of underground concrete bunkers where the population all wears drab blue jumpsuits. Even Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), the series' resident peacock and Katniss's personal attendant from the Games, is neutered, relegated to patchwork jumpsuits and scarves. All of the beautiful imagery of the Capitol's effluence is gone so that the audience can be brought down the reality of their suffering. While the first two films would probably be considered action/adventure with science fiction elements, MOCKINGJAY 1 is a war film (with sci-fi elements). No joke, this is a war film closer in spirit to PLATOON or SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (though, of course, toned way down as to be appropriate for a younger audience). We confront the realities of conflict such as refugees, collateral damage, and self-sacrifice for the common good. It's nuts and nothing like I expected. At one point, Snow callously orders the bombing of a refugee hospital in one of the districts and we're right there with Katniss as, after everything she's already been through, she watches the incineration of men, women, and children and can do nothing to stop it. Heavy stuff for a teen movie.
These movies have, no doubt, made Jennifer Lawrence's career. She is a talented woman and these movies brought her into the spotlight where she was able to latch on to bigger and better things; yet she still continues to return to the character that brought her to the top of her game and she still gives it her all. Katniss, in MOCKINGJAY 1, is at her worst. She's mentally-broken, she's terrified for Peeta, and she is constantly reminded of the pressure on her shoulders as the one person who can unite the districts against the Capitol. In the previous movies, she's shown the strength and conviction of her character but now she's getting angry. Lawrence handles it all effortlessly and brings the viewer along with her in what serves as her character's big transformation. On these same lines, it's worth mentioning the pedigree of acting talent these movies attract. In addition to the returning cast from previous movies (including Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Jeffrey Wright, and Philip Seymour Hoffman), MOCKINGJAY 1 adds Julianne Moore as President Coin, head of District 13 and the rebellion. She's the no-nonsense sort who oversees operations in 13 with military precision, but her intentions seem pure. She recognizes the importance of Katniss's involvement but she's rightfully hesitant at first to put all her faith into one girl and risk everything she's accomplished so far. Hoffman and Liam Hemsworth get upgraded to larger roles. Hoffman (as Plutarch Heavensbee) has betrayed the Capitol and operates as Coin's head of propaganda, and Hemsworth (as Gale, Katniss's former flame from her time in District 12) is now a militant rebel intent on doing his part in bringing down Snow. Having been out of the picture during Katniss's time in the Games, the two of them reconnect but he's no longer interested in pursuing their relationship as a) he's got more important things to worry about now and b) Katniss has obviously developed feelings for Peeta. This not-quite-love-triangle is mercifully given little screen time whereas other young adult movies would probably make it the focus.
MOCKINGJAY 1 is a drastic departure from the tone of the first two movies and I wouldn't be surprised to find out it may've turned off some of the younger viewers. It's a pretty good film but you can tell it's just killing time until MOCKINGJAY 2 for the big final battle. Despite some pacing flaws and the general aura of depression, it's a nice lead-in to the final act and an interesting progression for the franchise.