But while most assume this to be their last visit to the world of Panem, the film’s director says he may not be done after all.
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While the Oscar winning actress has played one of the leads in all the previous instalments, the upcoming film will draw the curtain on the “Hunger Games” series.
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” eventually builds to a dramatic climax and even throws in a twist of sorts, but both are so drawn out that the series ends with more whimper than bang.
As far as the cash-grabbing practice of splitting final books into two separate motion pictures goes, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, not at all surprisingly, ranks below the final Harry Potter but above the final Twilight.
“The focus is overwhelmingly on Katniss … and it’s to Jennifer Lawrence’s huge credit”, writes Tom Long at the Detroit News. Once Katniss agrees to become the “Mockingjay”, the heavily tattooed Cressida and her camera crew (Messalla, Castor, and Pollux) are assigned to produce “propos” inciting the other Districts to join in the rebellion. They over-explain relatively minor situations and vastly under-explain important ones, to the point that the film’s most meaningful sequence ends in utter confusion.
Speaking with EW, director Francis Lawrence shared his idea of a possible prequel, expressing his interest in seeing that world before it crumbled into a dystopian state.
I think in her heart and soul, she’s the same girl.
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” is a cut above other young adult action movies. This is a film that the diehards will love just because they love the books and the characters, but I don’t feel there is much here for the casual fan.
Julianne Moore, Sutherland, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman (who died before shooting was complete) round out the cast to create an interesting ensemble, but this is Lawrence’s movie.
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This is the fourth and final Hunger Games, and what an epic journey this has been. “I didn’t go to school” she jokes. “Jennifer Lawrence, your emotional depth, luminous presence, and sheer power carry this story and I will always be grateful to you for opening the door and allowing it to come into your life”.
