Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014) by Isaac J — 15 Aug 2016

Certainly the weakest entry in the Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is the beginning of the two part finale wrapping up the successful film series. This film holds a talented cast, a creative director and fabulous source material; the problem is the fact that it feels there as if as a rather dull prelude building up the second part.

This film fails to offer much in terms of excitement. There may be the odd action scene (always more disappointing than seen in the earlier Hunger Games films), but otherwise this film takes a plodding and generally "can't really be bothered" sort of pace.

Jennifer Lawrence and her fellow cast members do, however, give brilliant, deep and gripping performances and, despite a lifeless script and a story that fails to take flight, Francis Lawrence's direction makes the best of a mediocre situation.

Visually, the film is as stunning as its predecessors, captivating and delightfully futuristic. Overall, despite many great elements and incredible potential, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1's boring plot ultimately does not allow this film to reach the impressive levels of its predecessors.

At the end of the day, we are, unfortunately, left with a slow film that generates more disappointment than it does praise.