‘Mockingjay’ leaves fans hungry for more

Alia Lewis

My rating: 4/5 stars

Fire isn’t the only thing catching for “Mockingjay,” the first half of the final movie in “The Hunger Games” trilogy. Fans with eager expectations left satisfied as this suspense-driven performance delivered a thrilling plot, lots of action and a hint of romance. The only thing it lacked was the remainder of the movie.

The thriller which follows Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is jaw-dropping as it marks her transition from victor to leader of the revolution.

Fed up with the overbearing and intolerable actions of the capital led by President Snow, the audience finally sees the reactions of the oppressed as they slowly unite together and declare an uprising.

More political than any of the other movies, “Mockingjay” wove together themes of courage and unity, which imparted the audience with hope and power.

Julianne Moore, who played Alma Coin, president of District 13, shined as one of the many new characters appearing in the movie. Others were phenomenal as well, including Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, who played Plutarch Heavensbee, former Gamemaker turned revolutionary aid.

Along with a fantastic cast, the execution of Mockingjay was wonderful. From the emotion audience members felt during Katniss’ infamous speech to the pure thrill that had their eyes glued to the screen, mouths open and butts on the edge their seats, audience members were ready to transport into the action to fight alongside Katniss.

The only criticism for this movie is that it leaves the audience desperately yearning for more.

Despite the strategy of previous predecessors (“Harry Potter” and “Twilight”), “Mockingjay” should not have been split into two parts.

Stretching a film that would’ve been perfectly fine as one whole movie into two robs “Mockingjay” of the complete and perfect package it could’ve been.

Attempting to convince a nation to join a revolution is not a plot that is strong enough to stand alone. “Mockingjay” needed more plot, more action and more time, which one whole movie would’ve delivered instead of two.

Overall, “Mockingjay” was great. The acting, cinematography and suspenseful music all played a huge role in the film, allowing it to become the successful film it is now. If only producers were concerned about plot more than box office sales, “Mockingjay: Part 1” would’ve been perfect.