good set up for finale

Rating: 6/10 (2 September 2015)

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is still haunted by the Games. President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is holding Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) hostage and using him as a media tool. Katniss does a deal with District 13 President Coin (Julianne Moore) to rescue the Victors in exchange for her being the Mockingjay symbol of the resistance.
I like the idea of Wag the Dog. However it has to be executed with precision. Those scenes of trying to handle Katniss could have been funny or foreboding. Woody Harrelson has some fun but there are too many awkward moments with the media idea. The writing needs to be sharper. Katniss indirectly causes the destruction of the hospital and it doesn't even occurs to her.
I don't mind limiting the action in this episode. It's trying to set up a lot of things for the finale. Although the rescue ending could have been an exciting sequence. It needs Katniss joining the rescue team. The switching back and forth drains the tension out of the action. It wouldn't cost that much and it would be a great way to end the movie. At the very least, it would silence most of the complainers about the lack of action. This is a good set up for the finale. There are some awkwardness and minor annoyances. Lawrence is able to deliver on a difficult role. There are some good additions to the franchise. I expect a great explosive final chapter.