GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Double Sheep Movie Review: The Hunger Games: MockingJay - Part 1 | I Smell Sheep

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Double Sheep Movie Review: The Hunger Games: MockingJay - Part 1

The Hunger Games: MockingJay - Part 1
Directed by: Francis Lawrence, Francis Lawrence II
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 2hr 5min
Staring: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland, Sam Claflin, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Elizabeth Banks, 

Plot: 
The worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, which finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage. The novel on which the film is based is the third in a trilogy written by Suzanne Collins that has over 65 million copies in print in the U.S. alone. 

*Katie's review, who did not read the books* 

Maybe I should have watched the previous Hunger Games movie right before heading to the theater to see this one. I say this, because I could not remember who certain characters were. Or why and how they got out of the main city to district 13. Like who was Sara again? And how did Finnick play into all this? Plus, Effie is now magically in district 13…but why? It's not really explained. So maybe she got out and went there, but her of all people I could not believe would abandon the luxury of the main city. Just to live underground and on the run. 

Anyway, all that being said I did enjoy this film overall. But I say that with reservations. I mean, how much can you "enjoy" a film that's about millions of oppressed people who are hunted and killed like animals. Where kids have to fight each other to the death no less, it's hard to be all "hell yeah that was a good film!" then fist pump the air. Just seems kinda out of place for the occasion. 

But I digress. As we get into the latest ongoings of Katniss and crew, we find that a major rebellion has now started. The working people don't want to be held down any longer. They are fighting. Most are making the ultimate sacrifice, but better to die fighting for something righteous then die for nothing. 

The film felt very dark for most of the story, but that's pretty much Hunger Games edict. Tedious is a word that comes to mind. Long spots of lulling, then some action and then back to more lull. This is one of those cases where the trailer shows you pretty much all the most exciting parts. The epic "If we burn, you burn with us!" (see video below) That's a big moment in the film. But I saw the trailer 10 times already! 

There's a ton of uneventful moments. I can't even say there was great dialog to fill those voids. No, most was self reflection moments. Looking out into the distance. Waiting. Picking over cafeteria food. Playing a game of chase the light across the floor you silly cat. You get the idea. More action! More development in the plot! More something! 

Sure, the end gets epic. But that's the end of the film! This was a 2 hour movie that wasted time and delivered little. See it if you like this world and want to keep up with what's doing. But really, you can wait around for the DVD. 



Getting 3 1/2 Sheep
KD 

*Sharon's review, who read the books* 

I'll make this quick. I was disappointed. It was nothing but Katniss looking horrified and then distraught. Mockingjay is the last book, and some pretty big things happen, but it seems they are saving it all for the fourth movie. There is one important event reveal in part one, the Peta story line. The rest is filler. Skipping this movie and reading some spoilers online instead will do you. Save your money for part two.

2 Sheep (one star because I like Jennifer Lawrence and another because Thor's brother is nice to look at.)




SharonS

9 comments:

  1. OMG I thought I was the only one that was so very very disappointed in this movie.. I LOVED the first two Hunger Games movies, so was excited to see this one.Everything that Katie said in her review is pretty much verbatim what I thought of the movie as well, and I agree with Sharon's description of it being "nothing but Katniss looking horrified and then distraught". I am holding onto a slim, very fragile piece of hope that the 2nd part of the movie will redeem this first part, but I fear if it doesnt, it will mark the end of my Hunger Games fangirl crush..

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    1. I know! They shouldn't have tried to stretch It into 4 movies. I understand what they were trying to do, but they missed the mark completely.

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    2. Yeah Tina, it killed my feelings for this franchise. Killed it dead. This was just a big ass filler movie that pays everyone more money. There was little to no point to it. Disappointed but a fan of Jennifer Lawrence still. :)

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  2. If I hadn't already watched the first two movies, this might have actually been enough to deter me from watching the next one. As it is, I'm already pissed off that Lenny won't be there designing badass dresses.... But I'll still probably go. My reasons? I site the same excuse as to why Sharon gave it two sheep. I like Lawrence, and Thor's brother IS pretty to look at. ;-)

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    1. But she's not joking, you can either rent the dvd for a buck or get all the spoilers online. It's not worth paying box office prices. Sadly :/

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  3. I think the next one will be good. There is so much action and plot twists that will occur!

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  4. I started watching the first one the other day and while I don't doubt it's a good storyline with lots of metaphors and the like, it just got me so down! It's a dystopian book isn't it? That's not something I need to be watching right now. Maybe later down the line it will be something to see but not right now.

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  5. The books are much harsher than the movie. It is dystopian.

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