The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 Movie Review

Image Source: Lionsgate 

Mockingjay Part 2 brings the Hunger Games franchise to a close. The series has been full of kick butt action and “hold your breath” suspense, but I feel like overall the first Hunger Games movie was at the top of the proverbial movie hill, while the rest of the series slowly rolled down. Mockingjay Part 2 had just enough momentum left to give the Hunger Games series a good, but not spectacular, conclusion.

The movie begins with Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who has just saved her fellow tribute Peeta Mellark, Josh Hutcherson, from President Snow’s, Donald Sutherland, grasp. The districts have finally been unified, and the final offensive against the capital commences. The leader of the rebellion, President Coin, informs Katniss that she has done well but that she should stay put and allow the soldiers of the rebellion to capture the capital.

 Katniss ignores the orders and treks on a rogue mission to assassinate President Snow. Her team agrees to assist her, and they follow her lead. As team members die, Peeta reassures Katniss that if she kills President Snow then their lives will not be lost in vain. Unfortunately, (spoiler alert) once we reach the conclusion, we realize that this mission was meaningless. Katniss does not kill President Snow, and the rebels defeat the capital without her or her team’s assistance. Technically, the same outcome would have been reached if Katniss would have just stayed home with her sister’s cat, and had returned after the capital was taken. Sure, there are some loose ends that the mission does explain, but overall the fact that this mission chews up so much screen time and doesn’t affect the outcome of the war gives me the feeling that the director may be guilty of padding the movie a bit.

Nevertheless, the action scenes are pretty amazing. The fight scene with the mutts, human/lizard zombie hybrids who attack in large numbers, is stunning. While fleeing through the dark and flooded sewers, Katniss uses her archery skills to deftly dispatch several of the mutts with her explosive fire arrows while Finnick, like the sea god Poseidon, uses his trident to impale several of his enemies. Gale lets out some frustration over being in a love triangle and uses his pistol to shoot several of the mutts point blank while Peeta uses a knife to stab his foes. My mouth hung open for literally ten minutes watching all the different ways you can kill a lizard zombie. 

While the movie hasn’t made me reconsider any of my lifestyle choices, I have to admit it was deeper than a mere popcorn action flick. Mockingjay Part 2 explores the use of propaganda in war. Moreover, Gale and Katniss both represent different views on what is and is not permissible during armed conflicts. Katniss believes that civilians must always be protected and cared for while Gale believes that human lives are sometimes expendable for the greater good. Despite some of its teenage awkwardness, Mockingjay Part 2 does offer some deeper points to reflect on alongside all the fiery explosions.

To be fair, Mockingjay Part 2 must be evaluated, not as a standalone film, but in the context of Mockingjay Part 1 and the previous movies. Together, the movies do weave a dark but exciting story of survival and rebellion. Despite a few inconsistencies and a decline in direction towards the end, the movie does entertain and supplies food for thought. All things considered, put down that calculus homework, fill your mom’s minivan with your favorite friends, and go enjoy the final chapter of the Hunger Games.