Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One

I blame Harry Potter. 

Splitting the film adaptation of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows into two films started a precedent, especially among final instalments of Young Adult novel adaptations. The Twilight franchise did it. The Divergent franchise will do it, and now The Hunger Games has done it. Whether it was done for a cynical marketing ploy to wring more money from the fans or whether done for the exigences of the story, I don't know (I suspect a little of Column A and a little of Column B) but, as it stands, here is Mockingjay: Part One. 

After the events of the Quarter Quell, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is now in the militaristic District 13, overseen by the powerful President Coin (Julianne Moore). Since Katniss' actions in the arena (as seen in Catching Fire), Panem has been in a state of rebellion. Coin wants to capitalise on this momentum and try and overthrow the Capitol, but they need a figurehead- they want Katniss to act as their Mockingjay. There's just one problem. Several of the other tributes in the Quarter Quell arena, including Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) have been captured and are being held by President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Katniss agrees to act as the Mockingjay but there's a few conditions: one being the immediate rescue of the tributes...

Without the focus of the actual Games itself, there was a danger that there would be no focal point of action in Mockingjay. Luckily several action set pieces make up for this. It's also chockful of brilliant performances, none more so than Jennifer Lawrence.

Lawrence has been superb in the other films and continues that high level of quality here. What's interesting about Katniss' position in Mockingjay is she's not a superhero, she's traumatised and scarred by what's happened to her and that comes through. Lawrence shows a startling level of maturity, sharing the screen with some of the strongest actors working in film at the moment and matching them. Truly remarkable work.

Julianne Moore- criminally underrated- is great as Coin. She's ruthless, determined but not callous or unfeeling, just incredibly pragmatic. Donald Sutherland is similarly great as President Snow, giving quite a broad performance (almost Bond-villain-esque in places, wide-eyed madness in lieu of previous steely understatement) but in terms of the character arc, it's completely understandable. Liam Hemsworth- so often relegated to minor player in the other films- gets more of a substantive role here and does well as Gale. Philip Seymour Hoffman's scenes have an added poignancy to them but it's a reminder of how good he was as an actor as Plutarch schemes and manipulates to get Katniss to be the Mockingjay.

Elizabeth Banks returns as Effie Trinket, now much more understated away from the ostentatiousness of the Capitol but losing none of that trademark camp bite. Natalie Dormer is strong as director Cressida, charged with making the propaganda films to destabilise the Capitol. Josh Hutcherson's performance as Peeta is affecting as the effects of the Capitol's torture of Peeta is writ large across his face. Finally, there's a lovely performance by Sam Claflin as Finnick, one of the tributes who puts himself on air to divulge a few of the Capitol's nasty little secrets as the rebels storm the Capitol in search of the tributes.

The other two films have made much of the contrast between the life in the Districts and the opulence and overindulgence of the Capitol, with the Capitol scenes bright and gaudy and obscenely over-the-top. There's not much made of that this time - the whole palette of the film seems muted and there are no real flashes of colour. It's a much more serious world presented (even though they still do the really annoying and frankly nauseating camera work where the cameraman runs after the characters and the camera shakes with every jolt).

They've also picked a bit of a weird place to split the book and end the first film (but then I felt the same about Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows). They could have easily cut it a good 10-15 minutes before and ended on a nice cliffhanger, but they choose to press on and end it on a less powerful moment. 

These are minor issues and do not detract from the whole thing. It's a strong film and worth your time and I'm looking forward to seeing the resolution of the franchise when Mockingjay Part Two hits cinemas next November.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Tez

Review: The LEGO Movie (UK Cert U)

They really will make a film of anything these days. Books, other films (I'm looking at you, RoboCop although I'm dearly wishing I wasn't), newspaper articles, rollercoasters, and boardgames have all been used as inspiration for a film. Following on from Transformers and G.I. Joe, there's also now... The LEGO Movie.

Generic construction worker Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) is a genial, easy-going, follow-the-instructions kind of guy, living and working in the town of Bricksburg which is run by President Business (voiced by Will Ferrell). However, Emmet's safe and ordered world is about to be changed as he becomes embroiled in a plot to save the world... For what could have easily been a hundred minute toy ad, The LEGO Movie manages to be laugh-out-loud funny, totally surreal and eminently enjoyable.

The voice cast is top-notch throughout, with great turns from Morgan Freeman as wise wizard Vitruvius, Elizabeth Banks as Master Builder Wyldstyle and an absolutely brilliant performance by Will Arnett as none other than... Batman! Bear in mind, Lego has the rights to a LOT of different franchises and there's a lot of fun to be had spotting the various characters. Ferrell is great as the villain of the piece whilst there's a great turn by Liam Neeson as a police officer who is both Good Cop and Bad Cop in one. There are also some genius little cameos which I won't spoil for you but which add to the general fun.

The animation is a mix of computer generated action and use of stop-motion with what looks like actual Lego pieces, even down to things like lightning bolts, fire, explosions and water. It's visually impressive, but probably doesn't need the 3D treatment (I did actually see this in 3D).

It will keep children and adults alike entertained and is an enjoyable slice of feelgood popcorn fun- just what I was in need of after a few weeks of heavy, intense dramas. All said, it was a whole lot of fun.

The LEGO Movie had previews last weekend (8th and 9th February) and is on general release in 2D and 3D releases from Friday 14th February.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Tez

Review: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (UK Cert 12A)

The original Hunger Games arrived with enough hype to rival the London 2012 games. The first big screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ ridiculously successful teenage novels, this was to be the beginning of a huge film franchise that would go toe-to-toe with heavyweights like Harry Potter; the brand new Twilight. While the original film made enough money to buy a lifetime supply of Drumstick lollies and then some, the reaction from Collins’ fans, and those who had never picked up the books, was lukewarm. The film was watered down, lacking both the smart observations and brutal violence that made the books so celebrated. I have to hold my hands up and admit that I have never read the books, but from what friends have told me, The Hunger Games is Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale with a heart. The big screen version of The Hunger Games I saw was Battle Royale for the kiddies, with all the satire and teenage slaying removed to conveniently give the film a 12A rating.

It did not take the bigwigs at Lionsgate long to green light a sequel, and here we are with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. On the plus side, Catching Fire has learnt a few lessons since the original, though it’s unlikely to be troubling the likes of Hogwarts and Co. When the film does get going (which takes a while; it’s nearly two-and-a-half hours and during the first hour very little happens), you rarely stop to breathe, with one impressive set piece after another. Just as before, Jennifer Lawrence proves why she is the go-to-girl for Hollywood’s leading roles and why she totally deserved to win an Oscar.

Again, I’m pointing out that I have not read the novels, and maybe this is what screenwriters Simon Beaufoy and Michael Ardnt have had to work with, but the satire and nods feel as subtle as a brick through a window. The first hour of Catching Fire is virtually scene-after-scene of not so much nods, but head-butts to what’s going on in our world today: those with too much and those with not enough; politicians abusing their power; the public’s consumption for reality TV and how far these shows are willing to go for entertainment. Without sounding patronising, raising these issues is important, but there are contemporary films out there that have been far more successful at highlighting the world’s flaws. In Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go, what made the film so heart-breaking was that at no point do its protagonists even consider an uprising, instead choosing to accept their fate. Also, Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men showed us an alternative future, suggesting that it’s not too big a leap to see Britain becoming a nation of fascists. It wouldn’t be so bad if there was some character development or a narrative to push the film forward, and while there are a handful of scenes, for the most part Catching Fire’s first hour is determined to list the many injustices of this world in as blatant a way as possible.

Catching Fire feels like two films that have been bolted onto each other. You have the plodding first hour followed by the remainder of the film, which makes up for this with CGI set piece after CGI set piece. All of these scenes are brilliantly put together, and you do find yourself worrying about the characters (a scene involving a massive flock of mocking jays is chilling), though this is more because you are watching someone in deadly danger rather than actually caring about them. Jena Malone gets the most intriguing role as Johanna, driven mad by the Hunger Games and what it has cost, both to her and the people she loves. Unfortunately her backstory, the reason why she’s so angry all of the time, is explained away in an all too brief summing up by one of the supporting characters. With Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta, you’re not cheering him on because he is in love with Katniss, or because Peeta is a fully fleshed out character; it’s because he’s so damn nice.

Despite the film’s faults, for most of its running time it is a thrilling watch. When the tributes finally enter the arena it is action-packed and unrelenting, ending on a cliff-hanger that will certainly have me watching part three. There is plenty of bang for your buck here – poisonous fog, giant baboons and tidal waves to name just a few – and Jennifer Lawrence is perfect throughout. Katniss may not be the most complex film heroine, but Lawrence gives it her all, one minute being tough as hell with a bow and arrow, the next being caring and compassionate, letting that tough pretence suddenly slip. You can forgive many of Catching Fire’s problems because Lawrence does such a great job.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Matt

Programme 17: The Amazing Spider-Man and What To Expect When You're Expecting

Programme 17 can be found here (and click here to view on VideoMajic.tv)!


We look at summer blockbuster The Amazing Spider-Man and comedy-drama What To Expect When You're Expecting. Plus Tez has an issue with an aspect of movie advertising...


Podcast versions can be found here and here


Enjoy!


P.S. Keep an eye out for Programme 18, which is due in a few weeks...  it's gonna be epic!

Programme 11: The Hunger Games, Wrath Of The Titans and Guilty Pleasures

Programme 11 is now available to view (click here to view it on VideoMajic.tv)!

We review The Hunger Games and Wrath Of The Titans whilst also discussing films which we class as 'guilty pleasures'- films we shouldn't like or enjoy as much as we do, but we do!

Do you have any cinematic guilty pleasures? If so, and you're willing to admit to them, please let us know in the comments below.

A YouTube link will follow shortly - and podcast versions are available here and here.

Enjoy!

Programme 8: Man On A Ledge, Real Steel and Oscar Predictions

Programme 8 is now available to view above! (click here to watch on VideoMajic.TV)

We take a look at Man On A Ledge, Rhys gives his take on Real Steel whilst Tez gives his predictions for who will win at this year's Oscars.

Podcasts can be found at Podbean and iTunes.

Enjoy!