Movie Musings: The Hunger Games - Mockingjay (Part II)

This weekend I saw "The Hunger Games - Mockingjay (Part II)" which is the fourth and final installment in the multi-part film series.

In case you missed any of my previous reviews, you can read about the books here: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire & Mockingjay, and the movies here: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part I.

*SPOILER ALERT!* Do not read on if you do not want to know any specifics about the movie.

The last movie came out exactly one year go and ended with Peeta in a straight jacket screaming about wanting to kill Katniss. Not his finest moment.

As we were sitting waiting for the film to start, we were trying to remember the exact contents of this part of the story. I finished the last book in October 2011, so it wasn't exactly fresh in my mind. I did remember two things: I knew the scenes with Katniss and the rebels storming the capital would be epic and that I would cry when Prim dies in that final battle scene.

The movie opens with Katniss underground in District 13. It seems that Peeta is still under observation and still wants to kill her. With that harsh reality, she seeks comfort in Gale, her longtime hunting partner.
 

Katniss, Gale and several of the surviving victors form an all star squad designed to shoot propaganda films during the war. As they move closer and closer to the capital, the stakes get higher and higher.
 

Despite his fragile mental state, Peeta is asked to join their squad. He confesses to Katniss that he can't tell which of his memories are real or not real. She promises to tell him whenever he is confused. That theme of "Real or not real?" continues throughout the rest of the film.
 

I have to say, after Josh Hutcherson's performance in this film, I am definitely Team Peeta.

The mastermind of the rebel army's approach to the capital all stems from District 13's President Coyne, played by Julianne Moore. Is there anything Moore can't do? I love her in this role. Power hungry, but deceptively calm.
 

I also love the actress who plays Katinss' sister Prim, Willow Shields. Though her on screen time in this installment was minimal, her death at the end sparks many emotions (and revenge-fueled plans) for Katniss.
 

Toward the conclusion of the film, when Katniss enters the capital's rose garden and has alone time with President Snow, I was petrified because I couldn't remember what happened between them. I kept waiting for someone to draw a weapon.
 

In the final action scene of the movie, Katniss is given a chance to assassinate President Snow with her signature bow and arrow. Major kudos to the makeup artist that created this look. I don't know why, but in this scene, Katniss looks the most beautiful she has the entire two hours.
 

I had completely forgotten how the story ends, because it has been over four years since I finished the book. I was happily reminded that in the end, Katniss chooses Peeta. In a very poignant scene, Katniss crawls into bed with Peeta in the middle of the night. As she nestles into him, he whispers, "You love me. Real or not real?" and with zero hesitation she says, "Real."

All the women in the theater squealed in the last scene of the movie when we see Katniss and Peeta in a meadow with their two outrageously adorable children. It ended and I felt so sad that there won't be any more movies!

When we first sat down in the theater, I was shocked how many men were in the audience. I was sure the film would focus on the Gale-Katniss-Peeta love triangle, but it was actually a ton of action, suspense and huge explosions.

"The Hunger Games - Mockingjay (Part II)" was one of my favorite movies of the series. The love triangle between Gale, Katniss and Peeta is so sincere and gut wrenching. The battle scenes had my heart pounding (in a good way) and I loved seeing some of the original characters back again - Elizabeth Banks as Effie, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Stanley Tucci as Caesar.

With "The Hunger Games" film series complete, what movie are you looking forward to next?

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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