Culmination of ‘Hunger Games’ saga fans flames

  • By Robert Horton Herald Movie Critic
  • Wednesday, November 18, 2015 6:33pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

Bloated with exposition and dulled with inaction, last year’s “Mockingjay-Part 1” was one of the strangest blockbusters ever released. Suzanne Collins wrote three books in the “Hunger Games” series, but Hollywood split the third book into two movies, a decision that resulted in a film that spun its wheels and ended in the middle of its story.

A cynical move. But the good news is that “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2” reminds us of why Collins’ dystopian trilogy caught fire in the first place.

Packed with characters and plot, and given sharp teeth by angry political allegory, “Mockingjay-Part 2” provides a ripping conclusion to Katniss Everdeen’s unhappy arc. Yet the film is most effective in its quiet moments — from war-council meetings led by the slick rebel leader (Julianne Moore) to the eerie sight of evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland) doddering around his rose garden.

As usual, you’ll be lost without having seen the previous films (and even if you have, you might struggle to remember who’s who). Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is still being exploited for propaganda value by the rebels, but she also has a plan to assassinate Snow.

At this point, the film franchise has lost interest in the supposedly urgent matter of whether Katniss with end up cuddling with her old beau Gale (Liam Hemsworth) or her Hunger Games partner Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). That always seemed pretty contrived anyway.

The middle of “Mockingjay-Part 2” is a platoon movie, with Katniss embedded in a combat unit with Gale and some old Hunger Games pals. This is where director Francis Lawrence thrives: the action is abundant, especially a scene involving some underground monsters who attack the group in the sewers below the Capitol. Yikes.

There’s an anti-climax built into the big storming-the-gates scene at the presidential mansion, but that’s because Collins deliberately muddies the waters about who the good guys are. The film has a rather long fade-out, but I think it works — this is a story that can’t end in rah-rah triumph, given the horrors that have unfolded.

The film finds moments for cast members Jena Malone, Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci; but there’s not much to do for Woody Harrelson, even though he still provides pep talks for Katniss. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died during production, shot enough scenes for his character to remain in the mix.

The key to this installment is Jennifer Lawrence, who conveys an unusual amount of gravitas for a youthful heroine. Amid all the stupid character names and sometimes absurd plotting, Lawrence’s serious presence keeps everything grounded. And whatever the future might hold for Katniss Everdeen, let’s hope she gets to crack a smile someday.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2” (3 stars)

The franchise rebounds from the wheel-spinning “Mockingjay—Part 1” with a ripping account of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) taking a final stand against the dictatorship. Wild action and eerie quiet moments make for a satisfying conclusion to Suzanne Collins’ political allegory.

Rating: PG-13, for violence

Showing: Alderwood Mall, Cinebarre Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds Theater, Everett Stadium, Galaxy Monroe, Marysville, Stanwood Cinemas, Meridian, Sundance Cinemas Seattle, Thornton Place Stadium 14, Woodinville, Blue Fox Drive-In, Cascade Mall

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

The Moonlight Swing Orchestra will play classic sounds of the Big Band Era on April 21 in Everett. (submitted photo)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Relive the Big Band Era at the Port Gardner Music Society’s final concert of the season in Everett.

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD (Honda)
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD

Honda cedes big boy pickup trucks to the likes of Ford, Dodge… Continue reading

Would you want to give something as elaborate as this a name as mundane as “bread box”? A French Provincial piece practically demands the French name panetiere.
A panetiere isn’t your modern bread box. It’s a treasure of French culture

This elaborately carved French antique may be old, but it’s still capable of keeping its leavened contents perfectly fresh.

(Judy Newton / Great Plant Picks)
Great Plant Pick: Mouse plant

What: Arisarum proboscideum, also known as mouse plant, is an herbaceous woodland… Continue reading

Bright green Japanese maple leaves are illuminated by spring sunlight. (Getty Images)
Confessions of a ‘plantophile’: I’m a bit of a junky for Japanese maples

In fact, my addiction to these glorious, all-season specimens seems to be contagious. Fortunately, there’s no known cure.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Hyundai)
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited

The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited is a sporty, all-electric, all-wheel drive sedan that will quickly win your heart.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T hybrid’s face has the twin red lines signifying the brand’s focus on performance. (Dodge)
2024 Hornet R/T is first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge

The all-new compact SUV travels 32 miles on pure electric power, and up to 360 miles in hybrid mode.

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

Don’t blow a bundle on glass supposedly made by the Henry William Stiegel

Why? Faked signatures, reused molds and imitated styles can make it unclear who actually made any given piece of glass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.