Jennifer Lawrence takes “Hunger Games” out in style
– Film Review By Cate Marquis –
The Hunger Games series goes out with a big satisfying bang in “Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.” It is the last in the series, and the ending makes clear that any remaining hunger for Katniss and her saga will have to be sated as the film nails a lid on that story. There are no real surprises, even the surprise twist is no surprise if you watched the last two films, even if you did not read the books. Still, it ties up all the loose ends and resolves everything satisfactorily.
Part 2 opens where the last one ended, with the Rebels, under President Coin (Julianne Moore), closing in on the capital of Panem and President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is recovering in rebel headquarters, but she is rattled by the way her Hunger Games partner Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) has suddenly been changed, by his experiences under Snow’s influence. Nonetheless, Katniss becomes part of an elite team, including boyfriend Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and pal Finnick (Sam Claflin) infiltrating the capital in an attempt to assassinate Snow ahead of the main Rebel force.
The final film brings back the same star-studded cast, including one of the last performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, as well as Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Jeffrey Wright as Beetee, and Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman. Jena Malone returns as Johanna, as does Natalie Dormer as Cressida. All the big, flashing special effects are back too, for a big finish to the hit series.
Jennifer Lawrence continues her fine, human performance at the center of this science fiction, high-tech driven dystopia. Although the face of the the revolution, Katniss has no real power within its hierarchy, and its leaders, particularly Coin, tend to treat her as their own media star Joan of Arc. Katniss herself continues to pursue her own personal goals, to free herself and family and friends from the grip of President Snow’s Panem. Which she concludes means killing Snow.
Lawrence’s Katniss continues to exude both courage and a kind of humble dignity, mixed with tender caring towards her friends and a tendency to do the unexpected. When she realizes that the Rebel plan to take the capital comes with high civilian losses, she becomes the revolution’s conscience. Through the films, Lawrence has created a character that breaks all the usual movie stereotypes for female roles.
The film’s story is the drive to the capital and the final battle and triumph. Although the way, they encounter game-maker bombs that flood the streets with a deadly black oil and pale zombie-like mutts in the sewers and subways under the city, and plenty of action and great effects.. There are no real surprises, with twists we see coming, but its more about Katniss’ journey. The series ends in a way that makes another sequel virtually impossible, a fitting way to tie it all up.
In the course of the wildly successful series, the “Hunger Games” have transformed the idea of a hero, an action star and particularly roles for women in action-laden stories. With its mix of mythology, peek behind the media machine curtain, and commentary on totalitarian government and inequality, the film series struck a chord across audiences. Its star, Jennifer Lawrence, has gone from a little-known young actress to one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and willing to speak up for other women in the industry. It is lightning in a bottle that studios will not soon capture again.
“Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” wraps up the series nicely, and and sets Katniss, and Jennifer Lawrence, free to move on to the next phase of their lives.
