17 | December | 2015 | Movie Reviews 101

Director: Francis Lawrence

Writer: Peter Craig, Danny Strong (Screenplay) Suzanne Collins (Novel)

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Sam Clafin, Elizabeth Banks, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright

Plot: As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Finally, it’s Over

Story: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II starts right where the last outing finished as Peeta (Hutcherson) is starting to recovery after trying to kill Katniss (Lawrence). President Coin (Moore) along with her advisor Plutarch (Hoffman) are playing a strike back against President Snow (Sutherland).

We follow Katniss along with a recovering Peeta and her other love interest Gale (Hemsworth) along with a group of rebels to enter the capital and take out Snow once and for all.

The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II is a film that I wasn’t really looking forward too after seeing the last one which only disappointed. I was let down one more time in a film that should be incredibly dark when the film finishes especially with how this ends. The film focus way too long on who Katniss will choose for the romantic angle and not giving us enough time to deal with the political side of the story. This all tries to give us a rise against the government story but from the wrong side because no one cares what is going on with Katniss and her stupid love interest.

Actor Review

Jennifer Lawrence: Katniss is back still deciding who she wants as her boyfriend while wanting to kill President Snow for causing all the problems in the world. She is a pawn in a much bigger game but if she has a boyfriend who cares? Jennifer does a solid job but you do feel like she is just seeing out her contract.

Josh Hutcherson: Peeta tried to kill Katniss but is now cured, well sort off, he some how goes on this mission to kill Snow and ends up being a problem because he isn’t cured. He is also a romantic interest for Katniss. Josh does a basic job but can’t pull off brooding very well.

Liam Hemsworth: Gale is the soldier who looked after Katniss’ family while she was in The Hunger Games, she was her boyfriend and goes on this mission to kill Snow. He starts making decision that Katniss doesn’t like as he knows what will win the battle. Liam gets buried in this film, you can see he was talent but they don’t let it out in this film.

Donald Sutherland: President Snow is the target for all of the offence in the film, he is who Katniss wants to kill and he has to use all his brains to stay ahead of any plans. Donald does well but this time he doesn’t get enough screen time.

Support Cast: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II has such a big supporting cast barely any of them get enough time on screen to make the impact they should.

Director Review: Francis Lawrence – Francis closes of the saga in a plain way where we just are not pulled in enough to enjoy this one.

Action: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II as standard action scenes which won’t be remembered in a few years’ time, but they are too dark for how the film is played out.

Adventure: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II doesn’t feel like an adventure film like it I being advertised.

Sci-Fi: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II I in the dystopia future but this time you can almost forget that you are in it.

Settings: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II keeps everything inside the city this time which doesn’t seem to suit what the whole world that was created in the first film.
Special Effects: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II has basic effects that don’t really come off too strong when needed.

Suggestion: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II is one you should watch to finish the saga but otherwise you can skip it. (Finish the Franchise)

Best Part: The execution scene.

Worst Part: Where do I start? Finn.

Believability: No

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 2 Hours 17 Minutes

Tagline: Nothing can prepare you for the end

Overall: Lacklustre conclusion to a franchise that seemed to go off track after the first film

Rating

Milla Jovovich is the Ukrainian beauty that has transitioned from model to go to sci-fi action actress. With 44 credits to her name with the most successful films being in that genre, she isn’t afraid to take chases on a range of films. I have decided to give my top 5 favourite performances which turned out to be a lot harder than I thought where I have to give honourable mentions to Survivor (2015) and The Fourth Kind (2009).

5. Cydney – A Perfect Getaway (2009)

Cydney is one half or two couple travelling around Hawaii when we learn that there is a couple that are going around killing couples and taking over their lives. We are left to wonder if it could be either of the couples until the final reveal to who it is.

4. Katinka – Zoolander (2001)

Katinka is the second in command to the evil Mugatu and showed that Milla had the ability to enter into the comedy genre without even looking out of place with the heavyweights involved in this film.

3. Leeloo – The Fifth Element (1997)

Leeloo is the creation that comes from ancient DNA that is the answer to the peril heading towards the future Earth. Having to learn the languages and skills in combat to save the world.

2. Violet Song Jat Shariff – Ultraviolet (2006)

Violet is from the futuristic world where a genetic disease that gives humans enhanced skills gets put to battle against the normal humans we follow Violet who has been enhanced have to fight for what is right while protecting a 9-year-old boy. Also the Gun Kata style of brilliant throughout even if the film isn’t the most popular.

1. Alice – Resident Evil (2002 – 2016)

Alice easily go down as Milla’s most significant role of her career and easily the one everyone will remember her for. It is easy to why because the character is the best creation to the action-horror in recent years and with each outing she always beat the enemy in front of her with the finale of the series due out early 2016.