In the final installment of this apparent global phenomenon, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) stakes her claim as the leader of District 13 and leads the revolution against the dictatorship of President Snow (Donald Sutherland.)
Playing out more like the ‘malnutrition games’ and milking out the tediousness of the four films combined, this reminds us how far we’ve come since the first installment. Back then, Katniss was young, innocent, running through fields for safety, a heroine in a futuristic world with a sense of urgency, to her very death. Now, she’s grownup, raven-haired and pale skinned, calm and angry (can you blame her?) and moves with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) as if their on valium. As a matter of fact he spends most of the film babbling (literally) about how Katniss betrayed him. Every scene is dark, urban-ruined, melodramatic, and trying to be ‘thee scene.’ Why is it that all these big blockbuster/action films go dark and louder with each installment? Batman anyone?
The film and its stars have lost their charm and vulnerability. And then there’s the plot…ten minutes in we have no idea what’s happening. Eventually we learn that Katniss’s mission is that as long as Snow is alive nobody is safe. But the casts’ reason is always about revenge. And that can’t be a good thing. A line is said in the film, “May your aim be as true as your heart is pure.” Oy! As if someone’s death mirrors purity.
Elizabeth, age 12, and Emma, age 13, were my guests for this special screening, having read the series. Emma was quick to point out that Catching Fire was by far better, as she found this installment as confusing as the book.
Give me the Divergent series any day, though I suspect it’s doomed to have the same problem. Dark and loud and violent. But at least Tris doesn’t make sport of death (of children.)
In a time when Paris is being attacked, and the world is in a dark place, let’s hope Hollywood puts an end to this film series (and doesn’t develop some prequel.) Though at 80 billion gazillion dollars worldwide, how can they not. Although if they did, Katniss might stop appearing as ‘fed up’ as we are, and return to the confident young girl full of hope and heart.
Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth and Stanley Tucci all returns reprising their roles. But in the end, The Hunger Games is in starvation mode. ♛ 1/2