The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

 

The final book in the trilogy was split into two films.  In the first, the rebellion gains momentum with the help of propaganda videos ("propos") from District 13 featuring Katniss, alive and well and now the face of the revolution.  Katniss's priority, however, is saving Peeta, who remains a prisoner in the Capitol and forced to make anti-rebellion pleas to the Districts.  Thanks to some rebels who take out a hydro electric power plant, thereby cutting power to the Capitol, and a military operation by volunteers from District 13, Peeta and two other tributes, Johanna and Annie, are rescued.  But all is far from well.

Mockingjay Part 2 sees the rebels prepare for their final advance on the Capitol.  Katniss is determined to kill Snow herself and stows away on a military craft headed to the front lines.  She and some of the other soldiers are instructed to provide the publicity for the rebel attack.  In the meantime, the evil Snow has enlisted the help of game makers to booby trap the entire Capitol with pods, designed to unleash the scariest of obstacles for Katniss and her team.  One final and horrific bombing ends the war and Snow's reign.  But, Katniss has one more target in her sights in order to put an end to the cycle of violence and tyranny in Panem.

Here are the highs and lows from the two-part finale, and highlights from the final soundtrack.

The Good (Part 1)

Julianne Moore as Alma Coin (though she makes her way onto the bad list by the end of Part 2)

Effie's attempts to add some of her signature flare to her drab District 13 jumpsuits

Cinna's designs for the mockingjay (designed prior to his cruel death) & Effie telling Katniss they will make her "the best dressed rebel in history"

A post-apocalyptic Margaery Tyrell (aka Natalie Dormer) as Cressida

Katniss's defiant message to Snow

Katniss singing "The Hanging Tree" at the lake

The successful mission to rescue Peeta and the other tributes from the Capitol - most importantly, Gale doesn't die!

The Bad (Part 1)

Katniss's return to the rubble of District 12

Snow's propaganda (reminiscent of a certain real political party's propaganda, using words like "radicals" and "respect for law and order")

The "hospital" in District 8

Snow's order to bomb the wounded in the hospital

Gale's emotional account of the bombing of District 12

The beaten and brainwashed Peeta trying to strangle Katniss

The Good (Part 2)

Another Game of Thrones alumnus, Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), makes an appearance

Finnick and Annie's wedding

Commander Paylor's speech before the advance on the Capitol

Tigris, a former Hunger Games stylist

Coin's ironic words to the people of Panem just before Katniss shoots an arrow into her heart: "May her arrow signify the end of tyranny and the beginning of a new era"

Paylor becoming President

Katniss and Peeta's reconciliation

The Bad (Part 2)

Katniss rushing to help a Capitol supporter, only to have him pull a gun on her

Snow's poisoning of the minister

The pods hidden throughout the Capitol

The tarlike substance that is released after a trip switch is triggered

The disgusting underground tunnels (were they filmed in the NYC subway system?) and the horrifying creatures that attack them there

Finnick's death

Coin bombing the crowd outside the presidential palace

Coin's proposal for a symbolic Hunger Games to satisfy the nation's lust for blood

Highlights from the soundtrack, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1:

  • Scream My Name - Tove Lo
  • Dead Air - Chvrches
  • All My Love - Major Lazer Feat. Ariana Grande
  • Yellow Flicker Beat - Lorde
  • Original Beast - Grace Jones




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