The last film in the popular Hunger Games series opened last weekend to the smallest opening weekend audience in franchise history. Don't know why that should be, but it is. Like Harry Potter, Twilight, and other series, the filmmakers on this one elected to split the last book into two films. Granted the industry may make more money that way, but the results are sometimes watered down versions of what they could be.
In the case of The Mockingjay, Part 2, it essentially split the climax into two, which can sometimes dilute the impact of the story.
I've read other reviews calling this sequel "grim" and it is. There is lack of explanation of motivation of some of the characters in the climactic events. Anyone unfamiliar with the novel may wonder why some of these things happened and how one character, in particular, escaped punishment.
The original cast reprised their roles in this final sequel, including the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Everyone did a fine job, though some of them were reduced to little more than cameo roles.
Don't get me wrong, the film is entertaining. I enjoyed it, but it would be so much richer as one film instead of two.
There were moments in Part 2 that dragged, slogging along with the speed of molasses. I actually checked my watch a couple of times.
Of course I cheered for Katniss and the rebels and applauded the ultimate conclusion. We were just not given as much to cheer about this time around.
I think taken as a set The Mockingjay films will do justice to the last novel. We'll just have to wait for this one to come out on video.
Until next time...
The new Star Wars film opens December 18th.
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