Can't believe I have to wait a whole year for Mockingjay - Part 2.

Rating: 8/10 (1 December 2014)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 continues with the story of Katniss Everdeen(Jennifer Lawrence). After Katniss destroys the games forever in the previous film, she is now in District 13. President Alma Coin(Julianne Moore) tells Katniss that she should lead the rebellion against the Capitol. Katniss also finds out that Peeta Mellark(Josh Hutcherson) is in the Capitol. So, Katniss reluctantly becomes the face of the rebellion to overthrow the Capitol & wants to save Peeta at the earliest.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 is a great film. However, it's not as action packed as the previous two movies in the series. Unlike in The Hunger Games(2012) & The Hunger Games: Catching Fire(2013) there are no actual Hunger Games in this movie. There are just three or four action set pieces in the movie. There is a lot of character development in this movie. Despite the limited action in the movie, it managed to hold my interest throughout. Should they have split the movie into two parts? I don't know. The ending of the film, though an amazing cliffhanger, leaves the viewer wanting more. I know for sure that The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2(2015) is going to be epic! Jennifer Lawrence is brilliant as Katniss Everdeen. Lawrence portrays the varying emotions of Katniss with ease. Josh Hutcherson is outstanding as Peeta Mellark. Hutcherson portrays Peeta's vulnerability & fear, effortlessly. Liam Hemsworth is awesome as Gale Hawthorne. I liked the fact that Hemsworth is given more screen time, this time around. Woody Harrelson is amazing as Haymitch Abernathy. Donald Sutherland is menacing as President Snow. Philip Seymour Hoffman is great as Plutarch Heavensbee. Julianne Moore is mind blowing as President Alma Coin. Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Elizabeth Banks, Mahershala Ali, Jeffrey Wright, Paul Malcomson, Stanley Tucci & Natalie Dormer are spectacular as Primrose Everdeen, Finnick Odair, Effie Trinket, Boggs, Beetee, Katniss' Mother, Caesar Flickerman & Cressida respectively. Though I really liked this film I prefer the previous two movies. Still, kudos to director Francis Lawrence for making this film an amazingly tense, emotional & thrilling preview for next year's final film. A must watch!