The Hunger Games film series based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling book series has captured audiences around the world with its dystopian tale of a post-apocalyptic North America. The story takes place in the fictional nation of Panem, which emerged from the ashes of a place once known as North America. The nation is divided into 12 districts ruled over by the wealthy Capitol. Each year, children from the districts are selected through a lottery to compete in a televised battle to the death known as the Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, directed by Francis Lawrence and released in 2014, is the third installment in the film series. It picks up the story directly after the events of Catching Fire. Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, has been rescued from the 75th Hunger Games but she is severely traumatized by her experiences. She is recovering in District 13, which has been long hidden from the Capitol. District 13 is now a safe haven for the growing rebellion against the tyrannical Capito, led by President Snow.
Katniss is supposed to be safely hidden away in 13 but President Coin of 13 recognizes Katniss’ power as a symbol and decides to use her as the Mockingjay – the symbol of the rebellion. Initially hesitant due to her trauma, Katniss eventually agrees to take on the role but only if she can attempt to rescue her friend Peeta, who was captured by the Capitol at the end of Catching Fire. Katniss films propaganda videos for 13 urging the districts to rise up but struggles with the manipulation of her image and words. She just wants to rescue Peeta and fears for his safety under the control of President Snow.
Many fans of the books felt that Mockingjay should have been filmed as one full movie instead of splitting it into two parts. While this may have worked from a narrative perspective, it is easy to understand the studio’s decision from a business standpoint. Splitting the film allowed the story to be expanded and drawn out to maximize profits at the box office. Mockingjay – Part 1 had an enormous budget of $125 million and the studio knew audiences wanted to see how Katniss’ story ended. Releasing it in two large budget films virtually guaranteed big box office returns across two holiday seasons.
While stretching the source material across two films could be seen as a money grab, it does allow for more development of certain elements that may have felt rushed if condensed into a single film. Mockingjay – Part 1 establishes the revolution brewing across Panem and Katniss’ role as the reluctant symbol of the rebellion. It provides more context about the oppressed districts uniting against the tyrannical Capitol. We get to see formerly stoic district leaders like Plutarch Heavensbee of 13 reveal their compassion and hatred for the current system. Characters are fleshed out more fully compared to what may have been possible in a single film.
Mockingjay – Part 1 lays crucial groundwork for the climactic finale while crafting a satisfying film in its own right. It is more character-driven than action-packed but director Francis Lawrence builds suspense through quiet dramatic moments. Jennifer Lawrence delivers another nuanced portrayal of Katniss struggling under the weight of her symbolic role. She perfectly conveys Katniss’ reluctance, anger, depression, and flashes of determination as she is manipulated by President Coin. Scenes between Katniss and her mother and little sister evoke strong emotions, showing the toll the games have taken on their family.
While the film lays important narrative foundations, some criticize that it lacks a fully formed plot of its own and feels more like lengthy setup for the conclusion in Part 2. This is a fair assessment but considering its role as the penultimate chapter in the overall story, it succeeds at what it aims to do. Some impactful scenes include Katniss meeting refugees from her home district 12 following the Capitol bombing, providing a haunting look at the human toll of the war. Her attempt to assassinate Snow and rescue Peeta taps into the ideological conflict at the heart of the story.
Mockingjay Part 1 brings the brooding aesthetic established in the earlier films to new locales like the subterranean District 13. Cinematographer Jo Willems contrasts the gloomy underground district with the dazzling but destructive Capitol seen in flashbacks. Snow is again perfectly portrayed by Donald Sutherland as the menacing yet charming dictator willing to crush any threats to his power. New additions like Natalie Dormer as cunning propagandist Cressida bring nuanced complexity even in supporting roles.
The film builds immense suspense for the climactic conflicts to come while honorably concluding its piece of the overarching plot. It effectively develops the characters further and expands the socio-political themes of revolution, oppression, and wartime propaganda raised in the earlier installments. While it may lack a fully satisfying standalone conclusion, as the penultimate chapter of Katniss’ journey, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 hits the thematic and stylistic notes needed to honor Collins’ grounded dystopian world on the way to its finale. It leaves audiences supremely intrigued and invested for the conclusion promised in Part 2. Mockingjay – Part 1 is a worthy bridge to the epic finale of Katniss Everdeen’s story and this landmark young adult franchise.
Andrew Stroud