I am not usually one to use cliché phrases but it is kind of approp
riate in the case of the Hunger Games franchise that all things must come to an end. I had been a fan of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games books long before the movies were released and I hoped the adaptations would be faithful to the source material. Now I am also going to utter a phrase that I positively hate; the books were better; in this case only by a slim margin.
Since Mockingjay is last book in the series it was only natural* to split it into 2 movies. This seems to be the current trend in Hollywood. I am not complaining much since breaking the final book into 2 films allowed the film makers to tell more of the story.
When Mockingjay pt. 1 ended the rebels were able to get into the Capitol and rescue Peeta who had been captured at the end of Catching Fire. Once the group is safely back at District 13, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) rushes to check on Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) unaware just how effective the brainwashing was and he attacks her. Part 2 opens with the injured Katniss being examined by a doctor. The doctor informs Katniss that her voice will eventually come back and the bruises on her throat will fade.
As the rebellion spreads across Panem President Snow (Donald Sutherland) comes to the realization that he is losing his grip on the districts. He speculates that the death of Katniss 
will end the rebellion so he lures her to the Capitol. Once inside the Capitol, Katniss and her team must elude the Peacekeepers that are hunting them while trying to avoid the booby traps Snow has deployed throughout the city.
For Katniss the ideals of the rebels were something she believed in but she is finding that the more things change the more they stay the same. Katniss begins to question the leaders of the rebellion fearing that President Coin (Julianne Moore) would be no better a leader than Snow.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2 was just as good as the source material. Mockingjay was my favorite book of the trilogy and I really liked how the novel translated to the big screen. Since I do not want to release any spoilers (even though if you haven’t seen it yet you should have by now) I must say that the one heartbreaking moment of the book was just as sad in the movie.
Mockingjay Part 2 comes in a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy (39.99 SRP) and a DVD/Digital Copy combo (29.99 SRP). Fans of behind the scene features will love the 5+ hours of special features.
SPECIAL FEATURES–
- “Pawns No More: Making The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” an 8 part documentary
v Walking Through Fire (Concluding the Saga)
v Real or Not Real (Visual Design)
v High-Value Targets (The Acting Ensamble)
v From Head to Toe (Costumes, Make-up and Hair)
v Navigating the Minefield (Production in Atlanta, Paris & Berlin)
v Collateral Damage (Stunts, Special Effects &Weapons)
v Tightening the Noose (The Post Production Process)
v A Different World (Reflections)
- The Hunger Games: A Photographic Journey
- Cinna’s Sketchbook: Secrets of the Mockingjay Armor
- Panem on Display: The Hunger Games: The Exposition
- Jet to the Set
The featurettes are full of information with something
for every fan. For example the hair and make-up was of little interest to me but the stunts and prop section were perfect. Actually after seeing some of the hair/make-up they should have put them in the special effects section.
I recommend adding Mockingjay Part 2 to your home video collection. If you haven’t purchased individual copies of The Hunger Games movies now is your chance to pick the series. Lionsgate has released a box set with all four movies with even more special features aptly named The Hunger Games Collection retailing for $64.99. Both Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 and the complete series box set are on sale now.
“May the odds be ever in your favor.”
*In case you didn’t catch it when I said, “it is only natural…” I was being sarcastic
-James
