Character driven to an extreme

Rating: 9/10 (23 November 2014)

Mockingjay is a study in charisma and political leadership, and a text-film on acting.
Donald Sutherland, Julliane Moore and Jennifer Lawrence present three clear variations on the theme of "How Leaders Lead." This, along with a somewhat heavy handed study on propaganda are the movies primary attractions.
This is not the kind of action film audiences of the first two "Hunger Games" movies enjoyed. There is a fair amount of fighting, but this movie is about charisma: Who has it, how its used and what it means. At this, "Mockingjay Part 1" is brilliant, primarily because Jennifer Lawrence HAS charisma. At several points in the movie, watching Lawrence draw me into her Katniss Everdean, I thought of politicians who were able to evoke passion in the populace. Lawrence has that ability in large quantities.
I also found the direction of the film to be outstanding. A particularly well-crafted scene occurs early when the Rebel's leadership are asked to suggest moments when Katniss was most effective at touching the spirits of the populace. This scene not only approaches a breach of the fourth wall, it could have caused viewers to suspend their "suspension of disbelief." But through precise timing and a brilliant performance by Woody Harrelson this scene succeeds in getting the audience involved interactively as we are invited to think of those moments from previous movies and nod our heads as we sub-vocalize our "Uh-Huh's."
This movie is about the why and the how of making of "The Mockingjay-the symbol of the revolution." Why Katniss? How Katniss?
WOW! Katniss!