“Hunger Games: Mockingjay” did not catch as much fire as the two previous movies. “Mockingjay” with all its glory is not something that comes to mind when hearing the name “Hunger Games.” It lacked that action and the emotional appeals, with the exception of the scenes when Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) visits the hospital in District 8 and her visit to what is left of District 12. This film was more of a needed transition between the second movie, “Catching Fire,” and part two of the finale. Directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Peter Craig and Danny Strong, “Mockingjay” starts with Katniss in District 13 the place that many thought was non-existent. She is still suffering from the nightmares and horrific memories of the games. Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), who comforted her trauma, is captured by the Capital and is brainwashed to be used as a weapon against Katniss. The only reason that Katniss was rescued and taken to 13 was because Plutarch Heavensbee (late Philip Seymour Hoffman), the former game maker, was able to convince President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) that Katniss is the voice, the face, the Mockingjay that is needed to be the hope and the leader of the uprising. Citizens are tired of this totalitarian system, run by the evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland). The people are now openly rebelling throughout all the Panem.

Her trustworthy friend and who was also the reason that Katniss’s family is still alive is Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) who is currently a  District 13 soldier and supporting the uprising. Since Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) was killed by President Snow’s order in the second film, fashionista Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) is determined to turn Katniss to the best dressed rebel in history. With the help of her former mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) who is surprisingly clean and sober, they prepare for the worst. The real game is yet to begun. The uprising forces all of Panem into playing the last and most bloodiest Hunger Game ever. “Mockingjay” has set the biggest opening of 2014 with $123-million sitting as the number one movie of the Thanksgiving weekend box office followed by Disney’s “Big Hero 6.” However it did not reach its estimated budget. “Catching Fire” earned $158-million and “Hunger Games” hit $152-million on its opening weekend.

The reason that “Mockingjay” is successful in both print and the movie is because it holds that mix of a love triangle, government cruelty and manipulation of public opinion. Which is carefully built by the novelist Suzanne Collins. It also has the advantage of  returning characters like computer genius Beetee (Jeffrey Write), Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) who was Katniss’s ally in the second movie. New faces such as President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), Boggs (Mahershala Ali) and Cressida (Natalie Dormer) who is the reality T.V. show producer that came from the Capitol.

Since it is the first “Hunger Game” movie that does not include the actual game it moves in a much slower pace. Especially since the movie ends in a heavily dramatic scene. Leaving fans to wait one year to find out the conclusion.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense scenes of violence and action.

Running Time: 2 hours and 3 minutes

Genre : Adventure/Sci-fi