Nordling here.
I’m a fan of THE HUNGER GAMES film franchise so far. Although the first film relies too much on frantic cinematography and you can see the film pushing the boundaries of its budget, it has very effective performances from all its actors and we are invested enough by the end of it that we’re willing to see this story through. The follow-up, CATCHING FIRE, is everything a great movie sequel should be – it expands the film’s universe, the performances continue to be compelling, and it’s far better shot than the first. Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen is a hero for the ages, and she gives the character real emotional weight and empathy. I’ve advocated, in fact, for some awards recognition for her work in these movies, but since this isn’t some Oscar-bait story, that probably won’t happen. That’s too bad; I think it’s more difficult to create a character like this than many people realize. She breathes life into Katniss.
So why does MOCKINGJAY PART 1 feel like such a frustrating experience, even though it has the same chemistry that the first two films do? It’s an easy answer – this is half a movie. And it’s the half that is all build-up and no release. I love cliffhanger storytelling – it’s an enjoyable way to engage with a story and the spice of anticipation makes the wait more fun. But even a movie like THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK gives us more than just build – it gives us new information about the characters and is more satisfying a story, even though we don’t get to see the end. Comparisons to TESB are unfair for MOCKINGJAY, since it’s the third film – perhaps comparing MOCKINGJAY PART 1 to RETURN OF THE JEDI if that film had ended with the Yoda scene would be more apt.
While Katniss’s arc may have a more rewarding conclusion in the latter half of this story, the effect that splitting the novel into two movies has on her character in PART 1 is that for almost all of MOCKINGJAY PART 1’s running time, Katniss just reacts to things, instead of being the exciting, proactive character that we’ve seen so far in this series. She’s more inert than effective, and it seems as if she’s the object of manipulation – not only by the nefarious schemes of President Snow (Donald Sutherland, who I’ve really enjoyed watching him be the mustache-twisting villain of these movies), but by the rebels of District 13, led by President Coin (Julianne Moore), and advised by Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman, who does excellent work, and gives all of us who loved him as an actor a deep ache in the heart now that he’s gone). Though Snow uses the captured Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) to taunt Katniss, Coin and Heavensbee know that Katniss could be the catalyst that inspires and ignites the rebellion, and if she’s not onboard, the war could end before it ever really begins.
All the performances are as good as they’ve been in previous installments, and Gale (Liam Hemsworth) fans will be excited to see that he gets a lot more to do this time around. Although Hutcherson’s Peeta is given limited screentime, Hutcherson brings a sense of real desperation to his scenes. We are introduced to new characters like Cressida (Natalie Dormer), a propaganda filmmaker who tries to sell Katniss’s story to the masses of Panem, and Boggs (Mahershala Ali), the military advisor to President Coin. The stakes are raised effectively.
This is all well-presented and exciting, except that there’s no payoff. There can’t be, because of where the movie ends its story, and more than anything this feels like a calculated move by the studio to make more money than any choices the filmmakers made. There are moments in MOCKINGJAY PART 1 that feel a bit padded, trying to stretch the film past the two hour mark, and oddly enough if we were able to see the conclusion MOCKINGJAY would probably be more streamlined. Francis Lawrence continues his terrific work with this film, and I’m excited to see how everything comes together in MOCKINGJAY PART 2. But, really, other than money, there was no reason to split these movies. As Katniss is being manipulated, so are we the audience, and while it’s a pleasure to follow this story, it’s discouraging in the end to simply be cut off. This has all the elements that make the previous films so successful. But there’s no way around it – this is half a movie. I would have rather the whole story be told than this.
That said, you should see this movie if you’re any kind of fan. I haven’t read the books, so I don’t know if Suzanne Collins or the filmmakers stick the landing (the rumblings I’ve heard online from those who have read the books seem to indicate she doesn’t). I am excited to see this story conclude in its proper manner, and perhaps Lawrence can edit the two films together once these films see home release. If you’ve followed Katniss’s adventures so far, you don’t really have a choice in seeing MOCKINGJAY PART 1. Just be prepared for a bit of frustration.
Nordling, out.
