The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Review

This is a weekly meme that I am hosting here at Reviews from a Bookworm. To take part all you have to do is share a movie review once a week, link back to Reviews from a Bookworm and add your link to the linky tool.


This weeks movie review will be for:


The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Okay, now for the really hard part. It's time to try and put my feelings about this movie into actual words. It's so much harder than I thought it would be, I wasn't expecting the movie to be that good. Rereading the book, which I reviewed here, had actually made me so nervous to see the film. The book is actually quite disappointing and unsatisfying, it's really slow going in the beginning and most of the action doesn't happen till the last quarter. I couldn't understand why they chose to split it in two, I didn't see what they could really do with the first half. But, shame on me, I never should have doubted them. When they made a movie adaptation as truly amazing as Catching Fire, I should have known they wouldn't disappoint me.

Everyone involved in turning these books into movies have earned my love and respect. This is how you adapt a book for the big screen. They stick so closely to the book, there's no big changes or deviations. But they are willing to make the subtle changes that are needed to make it work on screen. They make the subtle changes that manage to turn the most boring part of the book seem completely riveting. It made me realise that the biggest problem with the book wasn't the plot, it was dealing with Katniss and her narration.

The movie starts where we all knew it would, in District 13. Katniss is suffering from PTSD, as well as Finnick. She's survived a lot, but she's struggling to deal with the fact that she made it out of the Games and Peeta didn't. She's consumed with thoughts about what the Capitol could have done to him. And she's reluctant to take on the role that she's unwillingly put herself in, and that's the role of the Mockingjay. The symbol of rebellion and hope to all the Districts that want to fight back. She needs a purpose to do it, something to motivate her and that's Peeta. The hope that she can free him from the Capitol and rescue him. That's what gets her to finally step into the role, to fight back and take on Snow.

I'd been trying to figure out how to review this film all the way home from the cinema. I am still unsure. I can honestly say that I can't really think of anything to complain about. There isn't something I can point out and say that I didn't enjoy. I thought it would be really slow going, it wasn't. I thought it might drag and not much would happen, but I couldn't get enough and the time seemed to fly by. I knew the end was coming, I could feel it, but I didn't want the credits to roll. I needed the movie to continue, I needed part 2. How we're supposed to wait a year is beyond me.

By this point, I don't think you need me to say that the acting was superb. We've pretty much come to expect it now, we don't need to sit through the painful moments that could happen watching some adaptations (*cough* Twilight *cough*). Jennifer Lawrence is amazing, as always, especially when portraying how broken and torn Katniss is. She's struggling with so much in this movie and you can really feel it. This movie actually had me choking up at times, something I seriously wasn't expecting. Josh Hutcherson gets all of my applause, love and respect. His performance is phenomenal and watching him seemed to physically hurt. Why would you do that to me? Why?

The atmosphere in this film is a lot darker than the last two. And that's saying a lot, the last two were about people having to just slaughter other people. But this time you really feel like the Games are over, the real battle has begun. There's so much more at stake this time then whether or not Katniss or Peeta will make it. I loved how intense it felt, with the music playing a huge role in building the tension. But, with 100% honesty, what I loved most was that we got to see things we missed in the book. Katniss isn't as completely incompetent in this as she was in the book, but she still has to sit out on things. But the movie isn't restricted to just following Katniss, so we get to go where the action goes. We get to see what's happening in the Districts and we get to go on the missions that I wanted to see so badly in the books. This delivers on the action that was so needed in the book.

I'm sorry, I can't coherently review this film. I'm trying so hard not to spoil anything for people who haven't read the books. I'm sure those people exist somewhere, living under a rock. But, for those who have read the books, all I can say is Peeta. Oh, Peeta! That boy is breaking my heart. Nope, that boy broke my heart. It's completely broken and I don't know what to do. That ending. THAT ENDING! Nooooo. Just give me Part 2, please.

9/10 Butterflies

I haven't really got any complaints about this film, but I'm saving my 10. I need it for Part 2! At least, I really hope I do. This movie exceeded all of my expectations and showed me that I never should have doubted. I questioned why they were making two movies, I felt the book only required one. I was so wrong. What I thought was a decision based on making money actually proved to be necessary to tell the story right. I can't imagine them trying to get everything into one film. I understand now why they chose to make this into two films and I love them for it. I am left completely wanting more and completely confident that the next film won't disappoint me. This was dark, emotional and really upsetting at times. My poor feels could barely stand it by the end.