Written by Lewis Mainwaring & Benjamin Gummery

Spoiler Free

Mockingjay, Part 1 is the follow up to the 2013 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and is based on the Suzanne Collins‘ novel, Mockingjay, the third and final instalment in The Hunger Games trilogy.

Directed by Francis Lawrence (who also directed Catching Fire) the film stars Jennifer Lawrence as the captivating Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne. The film also sees the return of Donald Sutherland as President Coriolanus Snow – The tyrannical President of Panem who reigns with a ‘cold fist’ (insert laugh here), Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee and introduces Julianne Moore to the franchise as President Alma Coin.

This film follows on directly from the previous film with Katniss waking up to the realisation that District 12 no longer exists and that she is now at the heart of the new rebellions base located in the ruins of District 13.

This is a dystopian communist society run by the survivors turn militant force of  District 13 headed by President Coin. Moore turns in an electrifying performance in this role as a strong female leader not afraid to take tough decisions and makes a worthy opponent to President Snow.

The rebellious themes that run throughout the course of this instalment reminded us of similar themes in Star Wars Episode IV & VI, Equilibrium and also the final instalment of the Matrix Trilogy – Matrix Revolutions.

This instalment also sees ‘Capitol favourites’ such as Haymitch Abernathy and Effie Trinket (played by the fantastic Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks) adjusting to life as rebels and living without the splendour of the Capitol – as Effie puts it she feels like ‘a prisoner of war’ and is finding it very difficult without her bizarre array of wigs and make-up.

The film has several gripping action sequences and jaw dropping moments but this is balanced with a lot of reflective scenes and even some lighter comedy moments. Suffice to say this film held our interest throughout. Having watched the three installments in a triple bill showing (at Cineworld Newport) we can safely say that this franchise remains consistent throughout – and this film easily lives up to the previous two.

Philip Seymour Hoffman sadly died on the 2nd February 2014 at the age of 46 due to a personal struggle with addiction. At the time of his death, Hoffman was filming Mockingjay – Part 2 and had completed the majority of his scenes. This film pays a fitting tribute to him during the ending credits as appreciated by the audience (and resulted in a round of applause). His performance is among the strongest of his career.

November 20th 2015 will see Mockingjay – Part 2 hit cinema screens nationwide and 2015 is definitely a big year for film releases and sees films such as Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man hitting the screen.

Join the Mockingjay.

Join the Fight.

SEE THIS FILM NOW !!!!

5/5

Available for pre-order now from Zavii on Steelbook, Blu-ray & DVD. x