After a solid first installment and an even stronger sequel, “The Hunger Games” franchise flamed-out with last year’s “Mockingjay – Part 1”. Lionsgate decided to split the third and final book from Suzanne Collins’ phenomenon series into two films based on the financial successes of the “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” series, which utilized this strategy. This time, however, it was a huge mistake.
“Mockingjay – Part 1” underperformed at the box office, and the film itself was a snoozer, with a serious lack of action. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” does amp-up the destruction and explosions, and there is a level of anticipation for those who have been with this series for the past four years (especially for those who didn’t read the books). Will Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the shining symbol of the ongoing Panem districts rebellion, finally kill the evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland)? And how will the romantic triangle end – will she pick Gale (Liam Hemsworth) or Peeta (Josh Hutcherson)?
“Mockingjay – Part 2” suffers from the exact same problem as its predecessor: there isn’t enough legitimate material to warrant a stand-alone, 2-hour, 15-minute movie. Once again, there are long, dull stretches with the array of characters talking and talking but not advancing the story. But the truth is – even if combined into just one movie, “Mockingjay” is clearly the least exciting and satisfying of the adaptations.
Each of the “Hunger Games” films has featured at least one or two standout performances. In the original, it was Woody Harrelson’s former “Games” winner Haymitch and Stanley Tucci’s TV show host Caesar Flickerman (their roles are greatly reduced in “MP2”). “Catching Fire” introduced us to new gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee (played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), who elevated the entire cast. He does have several scenes in this final installment (though, oddly, no “In Memory of” this time in the closing credits). In “Mockingjay – Part 1”, Julianne Moore was terrific as District 13 President Alma Coin, with a commanding presence and an engaging and slightly mysterious personality. Coin is a significant character in this final chapter, still leading the rebel take-over of The Capitol and the destruction of Snow. And she has a few other surprises up her sleeve as well.
But the best performance in “Mockingjay – Part 2”, by far, is delivered by Lawrence. The Oscar-winner captivates in at least a half dozen dramatic scenes, displaying the acting skills she regularly saves for collaborations with David O. Russell. If you’ve been invested in “The Hunger Games” movie franchise, seeing Lawrence’s best work of the series is really the only reason to check-out this finale. If that’s not enough for you, just ask one of your obsessed friends or younger family members to take 30-seconds and fill you in on how it ends.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” gets a C.
Running Time: 137 min.