As one of the most popular trilogies in today’s society, the anticipation for the second to last installment of The Hunger Games was sky-high, and Mockingjay, Part One did not disappoint.
Following in the footsteps of other major novel-based movie trilogies, Mockingjay, the last of the series, was split into two separate movies to prolong the highly anticipated ending. Mockingjay, Part One picked up exactly where Catching Fire left off. The story begins with Katniss waking up in District 13, a secret district that had been forming underground for years, gathering strength for the potential revolution against the capital of Panem and the all-too-powerful President Snow.
For the third time, the all-star cast brought their A-game to the big screen. Jennifer Lawrence plays a heartbroken Katniss Everdeen who is desperate to make sense of the overwhelming reality that has become Panem. Peeta, portrayed by Josh Hutcherson, may not have been on screen as much in this movie, but he still managed to play a vital role in the storyline, as a reluctant spokesperson for President Snow.
According to AssociatedPress, “Mockingjay, Part One didn’t catch fire like the previous installments of “The Hunger Games,” but it still had the biggest opening of the year with $123 million at the weekend box office.”
One of the most successful aspects of the film was the impeccable graphics, as iconic settings such as District 12 were shown in complete rubble and destruction due to the constant fighting between The Capital and the districts. Filmmakers also effectively put the storyline into a fast-paced and suspenseful motion picture, captivating audiences with the constant uncertainty of what lies ahead.
All in all, Mockingjay, Part One successfully captured the hype regarding the end of The Hunger Games trilogy, as well as set up the intensity that will come with the final installment of the series, set to premiere in November of 2015.