“Our lives were never ours, they belong to Snow and our deaths do too. But if you kill him, Katniss, all those deaths, they mean something.”
– Peeta Mellark
SYNOPSIS: As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance. – via IMDB
I was excited for this, I really was. I was unhappy with the split of this book into two movies, and it seems that that was justified. I just don’t quite get it… you all know I was not really a fan of Mockingjay Part I. It felt unnecessary, though it was interesting to explore some of the political issues there. Then there is Mockingjay Part II, and it is uneven, and a mess, and somehow manages to feel so rushed. I don’t get it. There are also things that really irritated me. The main two offenders being SPOILERS that Finnick’s death was not done more justice – because it was really just glossed over in the book, and that Prim barely featured, so her death meant absolutely nothing here. The movie felt cluttered, and it was not nearly as smooth as Catching Fire, which remains the crowning moment for this franchise. I maintain that Jennifer Lawrence succeeded in making Katniss Everdeen far more likable than she ever was in the books (ask anyone – Everdeen is a total pet peeve of mine, ugh, whiny brat). This is not the worst way to end out the franchise, but really less oomph than I was expecting. Visually, of course, the movie was great to look at, but I was extremely disappointed in the pods at the outer edge of the city. Way less bang for my buck than I was expecting. The conclusion is also portrayed in a far more upbeat manner than the book, which is much better for me because the book made me want to throw it out of frustration because Katniss is such a selfish child. The trailer contained all the really good things, unfortunately, so there was spans of filler stuff (for me) while watching this. I feel that the cast again did a fantastic job with their characters, bringing all of them to life, though many characters were glossed over. Sam Claflin is still fantastic as Finnick Odair, Josh Hutcherson is precisely what you would expect Peeta to be, and Liam Hemsworth is a really good Gale, exactly what I pictured him to be (don’t know why he gets so much hate – but then I have only ever seen him in this franchise). That’s just glossing over the main cast, as it really is just too large to talk about them all, but just know that they all worked very well with what they were given. I liked this alright, but I did not love it – it just feels like it never really took off like it was supposed to. It felt unpolished, unfinished, and uneven. That being said, it is still a fun franchise, and I am totally looking forward to a nice box set to add to my collection!
I can’t complain about a 7/10. It seems though that the island I’m on, the one where I think that this series couldn’t have taken a wrong step, is getting smaller and smaller! Lol. Though it doesn’t matter really in the end, because no matter how this was going to end, I’ve been wanting to read these books so that’s what Santa Clause better damn well deliver me in a few weeks’ time! 😉
Nice review Zoe, I can’t believe it’s all over now. What am I supposed to look forward to next November. . .
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Still need to see this one. Reviews seem to be all over the map.
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Looking forward to seeing what you think. Yeah, they have been all over the show. It’s okay, but it isn’t revolutionary or amazing or anything. Sadly.
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My mark would probably have been 6 so we’re not far off really. The ending was disappointing for me and it didn’t seem enough for two films looking back over it. Finnick was great though.What happens to Gale in the end?
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Yeah I contemplated giving it a lower score. In fact, it was damn close, but I gave the last a 6.5 and I did find this one to be better, though not by too much. Plus, the performances were really not bad, and it looked good, even if the story was a total mess and the movie was uneven.
Are you asking to know or because the movie glossed over it very quickly? Sorry, not sure. He works for the new Panem government in District 2 when the war is over.
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The movie glosses it over completely. Romantically it felt a scene was missing too.
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I couldn’t agree with you more. No, I could. I liked the ending better in the book. 🙂
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Well, I am glad to hear that 🙂
You did? Even though she sounded so self-suffering just to appease Peeta?
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I don’t know. I just thought the ending was very calm. Like what would happen in real life; life must go on but it’ll never be the same again.
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I liked that aspect, but the fact that, even by the end of everything, she was still the victim, was just too much for me. I suppose it doesn’t help that I am not a fan of Katniss Everdeen AT ALL.
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I admit, she did a lot of whining in the last book.
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It didn’t really work for me if I’m honest; 5 out of 10 at best.
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I can totally understand that sentiment though, even if I enjoyed it a bit more than you did, it was a total let down.
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I really enjoyed this. Smashing action, taut political undercurrents, great performances. But then I also really liked Mockingjay — Part 1, so y’know. 😉 Nice work Zoë!
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Thank you! I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed them both so much 🙂
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I didn’t hate this one but it barely made an impression to me. I just shrugged when it was over, I think the first film was still the best. I agree Sam Claflin is still fantastic as Finnick, and Josh Hutcherson is ok, but Liam is just not an interesting actor and he couldn’t pull off the emotional moments his role requires. To be honest w/ you Zoe, I’m kinda bored seeing Jennifer Lawrence’s face. I used to like her but I really think she’s so overexposed now.
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I can agree Ruth, definitely not the WOW conclusion they were marketing, and I really thought the movie would be a good way to fix up some of the stuff ups of the book. I think the writing for Peeta and Gale was just terrible. I have got to see Liam Hemsworth in more things – I have only ever seen him here but he does NOT have fans! I can understand that. She used to be fresh and sweet and new. She isn’t a bad actress at all, just so over seeing her being a “ditz” everywhere.
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I still haven’t seen this and I don’t have very high hopes since I didn’t love the third book.
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Yeah, the third book was already the weakest of the lot. Then they split the movie. Then they didn’t correct things in places they could have. It’s pretty hollow at the end of the day, but not the worst movie in the world. But totally overhyped.
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