These games left me with a hunger for more. (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1)

Hey folks. Friday is upon us yet again. Time to watch some quality cinema. I managed to catch The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1 last night (or this morning… depending on what 12:45AM is to you), and it was an absolute blast. The anticipation for this film was definitely shown last night as people sold out Thursday and Friday showings and even some marathon showings (If you are a fan of the franchise, I encourage marathon viewing. Going to the movies then becomes an event. I’m sure they’ll do it again for part 2 so look for it next year). I have to say the movie is, without a doubt, worth every penny I spent and little sleep I received to watch it.

The story pretty much picks up right were the last one left off. We follow Katniss Everdeen as she begins her transition into the iconic symbol of freedom & revolution to the members of every district of Panem. Her purpose for doing what she does is all her own and her desire is to ensure the safety of her loved ones. As the film progress, you begin to question if she really is out of the game, and just enjoy her struggle to rise out of all of it from both sides.

I have to say, I enjoyed myself in the movies for this one. I found that two or more hours spent in a movie theater are hardly ever enough when watching a good film. The performances from every last member of the cast are amazing, whether they had lines are not. Every shot display stunning graphics and the story gets you so involved it pulls you in emotionally until its done. This film just made me respect Jennifer Lawrence even more as an actress.

Not that I ever doubted her skills before, but sometimes what I hear from commentators on the web is that she’s an overrated actress. Truth is this woman has an incredible range and has a fascinating ability to vary her age to the role she plays. Look at her resume, she’s all over the place and she kills it every time. Was talking to J. Trent about this after the film, she has this ability to make you believe the emotions she displays with most believable intensity. There are points where you watch her react to things and they have her trembling in a way that brings you in to that emotion.

Josh Hutcherson is another delight in this film. To watch him transform as Peta to a broken state warped by fear and torture is stunning. I remember seeing this guy in the very Jumanji like, Zathura and wondering where his career would go. With each role, he pushes himself a little further. I can’t wait to see where the Hunger Games takes his character.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Katniss and Gale’s (Liam Hemsworth) dialogue in the film. You can see that everything is starting to come to a head and Kale’s recognition of Katniss and Peta together is becoming more apparent. Dare I say there’s a bit of bitterness in his tone. I loved it. It was an interesting dynamic that I can’t wait to see unfold in the conclusion of this story.

Philip Seymuor Hoffman, in one of his last roles, proves why he was the caliber of actor he is. He will definitely be missed on-screen. His character is very much aware of the interesting dynamic that is presented to Katniss now. The game is still afoot. As always, Donald Sutherland gives a chilling preformance as President Snow and we find out just how dark he is through the uncovering of his treacherous past. Other characters of note are Sam Claflin (who I feel would make a perfect recast for the role of Scott Summers A.K.A “Cyclops” for the next X-men, although I don’t think they would cast him that old) as Fenick Odair and Mahershala Ali as Boggs (I’m thinking Blade… You know I had to let the geek out just a bit 😉 ).

I, unlike most viewers of this film, have never read the Hunger Games books. I learned from the Percy Jackson films and many comic book films, that we as fans often forget what adaptation is. With that, we come to the film with our own biases that limit the film watching experience. Instead of seeing this as a film, we see it as a retelling of the book. Adaptations don’t always do that. By understanding that these films are adaptations of other media, we have to step away from those biases and really take the storytelling from the medium that it is currently being given to us in. I enjoy the Hunger Games, and have no idea what it’s missing or adding, so I can enjoy the film for what it offers.

The CGI in this flick was absolutely brilliant. I’ve gotten so use to seeing future tech in film, that I almost forgot what it feels like to see something in a film and really say “Wow” that would be incredible if it were to exist. There’s a war-room scene that showcases an interactive display that would be fascinating to see in real like. The tech in this film really had me awestruck. There was also some body replacement CGI that completely threw me for a loop. You’ll have to see this one for yourselves, folks.

Overall, this film is a must see for the whole family. Get a ticket (if they’re still available) and go see this film. You’ll thank me later.