Movie Monday: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

As I wrote before, I went to go see The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 with my aunt, two cousins, and a cousin's friend on Black Friday.  I went to the first movie with friends, so it was nice to get to see the last movie with family.

All of us enjoyed it.  Hilariously, the girls thought Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson's roles should be switched, because they liked Peeta better but thought Gale and Katniss looked better together.  They also wanted to know more about what happens to Gale, but he exits at the same point he does in the book (although with a slightly more sympathetic portrayal).

I think the various directors and Suzanne Collins have done a wonderful job of bringing The Hunger Games series to the screen.  It can be particularly effective in bringing home that we are the Capitol.  There is one unfortunate bobble due to the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, but everyone involved did the best they could with his inability to appear in the scene.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 is not a happy film.  It ends with peace, but it is a grueling journey.  Katniss is driven to kill Snow, thinking that removing the head of the enemy will solve her problems.  Peeta is recovering from torture and brainwashing.  Gale is dealing with watching more than 90% of District 12 be gunned down in the streets.  None of them are at their best, but everyone is watching.

Jennifer Lawrence continues to kill it as Katniss.  It is a very internal, but vulnerable performance.  She's captivating from the moment you see the collar taken off in close up, Katniss's eyes saying so much that she can't say with her voice yet.  The cast around her is also up for the challenge.  Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, and all of the others bring so much to these roles.  It is hard to imagine the casting going any other way, no matter what the preteens I saw it with said.

There is no use in seeing The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 if you've neither seen the other movies nor read the books.  If you have, however, I think you'll be please with the conclusion.