"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2": Action over Emotion

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” closes out the final chapter of the Katniss chronicles by detailing the harrowing attempt to destroy the Capitol as well as solve the more mundane Peeta-Katniss-Gale love triangle.

The film immediately gets back into the “Mockingjay – Part 1” storyline, as Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is now in the process of recovery from the violent attack by tracker-jacker fueled/brainwashed Peeta.  Soon, though, the ever-resilient Katniss is back to business as the propagandized face of the Rebellion (led by Rebellion President Coin, played by Julianne Moore) against the power of the Capitol (run by President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland). 

Not willing to sit back from the continued horrors of Snow’s regime, Katniss is intent to be on the front lines and wants to assassinate Snow, herself.  Katniss sneakily makes her way to the outskirts of the Capitol where she (unintentionally) finds old-flame-turned-soldier Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and is eventually assigned to a band of soldiers whose progress is being filmed, once-again, by the Rebellion for agitprop and unification of the remaining districts against the Capitol.  Katniss’ dark adventures to reach Snow across the cruelly booby-trapped (called “pods”) city create an urban edition of the “Hunger Games,” as many of her fellow soldiers are far less savvy in the art of survival.  In an attempt to finally end the brutality against all the districts, Katniss has to keenly face her deepest fears, mount her resolve, and find her essential purpose in this last battle.

While “Mockingjay – Part 1” often came across as slow-moving compared to the two prior films, “Mockingjay – Part 2” is punctuated by more scenes of riveting boots-on-the ground adventure, placing the ever-engaging Lawrence right at the heart of the action.  The film, though, lacks much of the emotional and transformational appeal of the prior films.  Previously, we saw a small-town girl become a selfless, “girl on fire” bow-wielding archeress and, now, this mildly drawn-out final chapter has primarily become a “will she or won’t she” kill President Snow. 

The focus on the potential assassination task is so central to this continued storyline that nearly all characters, including those of love interests Peeta and Gale, are in the deep shadow of Katniss’ character.  Granted (and thankfully) this is not the “Twilight” series, however, a deeply emotionally meaningful and moving resolution between Katniss and her love interests or Katniss and her tormentor (Snow) is sorely lacking for the audience.

Nevertheless, what makes “Mockingjay: Part 2” worth seeing is Lawrence’s portrayal of personal strength.  Katniss is seen being able to persevere and overcome despite facing personal demons and entirely overwhelming odds.  The Mockingjay continues to cope with the mental burden of post-traumatic experiences but does not let the trauma define her defeat.  The series’ end emphasizes, uniquely, not firepower but the hard-fought, day-by-day, process of coping and recovery.  “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” is rated 4 out of 5 stars.