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| Scene from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 |
Endings are hard. Over the course of the countless franchises of the past 50 years, very few have said goodbye without a certain amount of complaints. In some cases, the final moments contradict the build up. In others, it's just boring or bad. While it has only been three years since we said hello to The Hunger Games franchise, the finale in director Francis Lawrence's Mockingjay Part 2 is one that is both an apt and, at times, baffling send-off for a series likely to inspire future activists and the general YA movie adaptation for years to come. After the big sigh that was Mockingjay Part 1's reviews, the series goes out with a bang. It's not a big bang, but it's one that doesn't disappoint; bringing together themes from throughout the past three films while also unfortunately tying in the weaker part of the series. It may not be the goodbye we deserve, but it's still a hearty handshake.
The film opens almost exactly where Part 1 left off. As rebel icon Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) removes a brace following her assault from the brainwashed Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Her voice is incapable of stringing together syllables, let alone state her identity. It's a perfect symbol for every character for the remainder of the movie. As Panem becomes overthrown by rebellion and a dictatorship, everyone feels oppressed - in some ways affected by the violence. Many die. Others live forever with the PTSD from merely surviving. As for Katniss, she is the apathetic leader, for whom comes to term with her conscience. Is it right to kill if it means survival? It's the rich subject matter that has been around since the beginning, but has only become more prevalent as the films have progressed and improved.
The novelty of The Hunger Games is back, as the series decides to take the journey of rebellion and place it into a worldwide killing fest, with traps to spare. There's floods, vicious creatures, even mind tricks planted throughout over half of the film with intent on bringing the bigger themes home. War is hell. Totalitarian governments are evil. There's no clean hands when war's involved. There's even the required romantic angle, which pits Peeta against Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) in one of the least interesting love triangle in modern YA films. They're both too resourceful and equally integral to Katniss's emotional state. In this case, runner up is merely the lesser of two nice guys. The only difference is that Gale has been a vastly better used character since the beginning.
The one applause worthy aspect of this series has been its ability to avoid the cliches of the YA films that have been considered knock-offs in some capacity. Prior to this film, the series has been effective in focusing more on the humanity of its characters than the violent text it resides in. Even if its themes are at times on the nose, it remained far more ambitious than its peers (yes, even Harry Potter). However, it all comes crashing down as the themes of war fall into the themes of angst. Katniss is at her most morally blurred in this film - hiding her grief from the world in order to appear strong. Thankfully, Jennifer Lawrence has remained a captivating presence within the series and ends on a high note. The only issue is that it's also ridiculous. While this series has always been sci-fi, the realism has been emphasized to an impressive degree. In Part 2, it is all heightened and surreal; at times downright silly. While it's a nice shift from the otherwise bleak subject, it's still... odd.
The one positive is that it's faithful to the book. The one negative is that it's faithful to the book's flaws. Readers of "Mockingjay" likely have divisive opinions about the third act of the story in which thrilling stuff happens next to needlessly cynical plot devices. It's unfortunate that Francis Lawrence and the writers couldn't fix these aspects to better suit a proper franchise farewell. Considering that he has managed to make its many themes prescient to 21st century culture come to life (including timely takes on refugees), there was room to make it all come to life better. Instead, it's arguably as silly, great, and unnecessary as the book could be. Thankfully Lawrence's direction is focused enough to at least make it a fun last hurrah.
Over this millennium's first 15 years, there hasn't been a YA movie franchise as interesting and timely as The Hunger Games. Unlike its peers, it had the chance to convince audiences to be activists. It was populous entertainment with motives. It's refreshing, especially in an age where so much young adult content feels redundantly geared towards more emotional subjects. The Hunger Games is by necessity as well, but it was deftly done in the background of the bigger picture; keeping it from just being another YA film. Unfortunately, the film is at times a little impulsive with the tropes, and it distracts from something greater. The last 10 minutes alone are likely to divide audiences who just see this as entertainment and not a bigger political commentary of our times.
By now, those fans of The Hunger Games have dwindled down to the die hards, likely going to nitpick the details on opening night. People who claimed controversy over the film's violent portrait of children-on-children killing have subsided in favor of one of the most interesting franchises currently out there. It was smart, stylish, and full of deep subtext that will likely be better appreciated as the films age. While it wasn't a perfectly group, they were definitely films worthy of paying attention to. It's strange that in modern times, something that was only around for three years could have such an impact - especially as many of this past summer's franchises were upwards of 30 years old (James Bond's Spectre comes over 50 years since the first one as well). While this may make it look small and weak, it actually condenses it into something more whole and manageable. Yes, the finale gets a little silly, but it at least did fan service in a tolerable way. The films of The Hunger Games may now be over. It's time for the legacy to officially kick into gear.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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