The fourth and final installment of the Hunger Games series was finally released last Friday on November 20th, 2015. Fans of the series have once again surged into theaters to see Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks and other huge names star in the film. As a huge fan of the series myself, I can wholeheartedly say that it definitely did justice to the (second half) of Mockingjay and left everyone feeling a little bittersweet (and in tears).
So far, the film has been getting some mixed reviews, attaining a 7.2/10 on the IMDb. I saw the film the day after the release on November 21st.
For those who have never read the series, the movie did a great job of picking up right where Part I left off without being too confusing. The stunts were well orchestrated, and Francis Lawrence- the director – wove in scenes that communicated a damaged relationship between main characters Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) without distracting the main plot, to reclaim their corrupted and war-ravaged country, Panem.
While some critics have chosen to take a harsher approach to the final installment, it’s important to keep in mind that Mockingjay is the final book where Katniss and her cohort are busy fighting a corrupt government. As a result, there are scenes involving death, sadness, and intense conversations.
So if you’re catching the teary-eyed, revolutionary feelings this season, I would highly recommend Mockingjay, Part II, to celebrate the end of an era in popular fiction!