The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I (2014)

Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Country: USA

Movie Review: Becoming an instant top box office, “The Hunger Games – Mockingjay part I” is the first of two films adapted from the novel “Mockingjay”, which consists of the final part of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games Trilogy. Screenwriting was entrusted to Danny Strong and Peter Craig, while Francis Lawrence directs once again after “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”. If the latter had raised my faith in the games, Mockingjay was a big disappointment, showing no good vibes, no decent action and a boring plot that lacked nerve in crucial moments, evincing fake pace accelerations that confounds and leaves us waiting for more. The same despair and anguish can be felt in Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) who accepts to be the leader in a rebellion against the Capitol of president Snow (Donald Sutherland). However, her sense of justice and urge for action are dried by the appearance of Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) who she thought dead and now opposes himself to the rebellion. Driven by the motto ‘if we burn, you burn’, the film creates glimpses of tension that are never transformed in thrilling moments. It promises to deliver more but remains restrained and too much centered on the psychological little game of Katniss and Peeta. With this sequel I reached my levels of fatigue, confirming that I was never a big fan of these adventures. Jennifer Lawrence didn’t need to do her usual stunts in Mockingjay, a boring exercise that reveals to be the weakest of the games so far. Who wants to watch the second part? I’m out!