In Mockingjay Part 2, the rebels have finally penetrated the Capitol City, but they run into some unexpected obstacles. The movie is a dark and compelling ending to the series of film adaptations of the best-selling dystopian novels by Suzanne Collins. (Photo courtesy Lionsgate)
Mockingjay Part 2 is a dark conclusion to the Hunger Games series. Some reviewers criticized it for the sometimes somber and violent tone, but to me one of the strengths of the movie is how that tone defies Hollywood convention.
The series ends not in unbridled triumph, but some ambivalence about the future. There’s a sense of accomplishment but also a feeling of exhaustion that shows the effects of war, oppression, and violence on the central characters. It’s far from the feeling you get at the end of an action film or a mainstream Hollywood movie.
The dark side of rebellion and war
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) joins the dangerous frontlines of the rebellion invading the Capitol City. By this point, she’s seen death, destruction and war for too long, but she’s on a mission to confront the source of so much misery: President Snow (Donald Sutherland) (Photo courtesy Lionsgate)
Splitting the last of Suzanne Collins‘ novels into two movies allows for some darker exploration in the second part that wouldn’t have been possible if the novel was adapted into just one film.
While previous films showed the groundswell of revolution, the leadership in this movie manipulates the rebellion. Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) collaborates with Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) on how to best take the rebellion into the Capital City and overthrow President Snow (Donald Sutherland).
They want to use Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) to broadcast messages to the rebellion (like the prevailing government, they are aware of the power of the media), so they insist on keeping her out of battle.
Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) assumes leadership of the rebellion, but what kind of leader is she? Mockingjay Part 2 asks deep and serious questions about the nature of power. (Photo courtesy Lionsgate)
But she leaves to join a team on the frontlines that includes Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and her District partner Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), who is still unstable and recovering from programming he suffered while held prisoner in the Capitol City.
They are special forces infiltrating the Capitol City by using a hologram map to dodge landmines set for them. When under attack they flee into the sewers before Katniss finally gets her chance to confront her nemesis, President Snow.
Asking important questions
Mockingjay Part 2 asks so many questions that are both political/social and spiritual.
On the political side: How do you effectively replace an oppressive government? How do you keep the leaders of the rebellion from their own self-interest about leadership? Does power corrupt no matter what cause someone is fighting for?
On the spiritual side: What toll does war and violence take on people? How does one find peace again after so much violence, oppression, and trauma? How much do you change after witnessing so much violence?
Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is a messianic figure who inspires the rebellion. But playing that role also carries a weight and responsibility that Katniss especially feels in Mockingjay Part 2. (Photo courtesy Lionsgate)
Katniss is a messianic figure and a galvanizing force to the rebellion. But she also shows a very human side to having that weight and responsibility.
Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss as someone who has learned to be tough and resilient.
She doesn’t often talk about her feelings, but she disdains dishonesty and insincerity (that’s why she can’t use a script when rebellion leaders film her messages). But she shows the strain that not only the fight, but her reluctance to take on the role of messiah, has taken on her.
Katniss is one of the most interesting and positive female protagonists in recent cinema and the conclusion of The Hunger Games series shows a fitting end to a dysptopian vision that’s a metaphor for contemporary America.
Here’s the trailer for Mockingjay Part 2:
