The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 is a 2014 drama-action movie and the third movie in the acclaimed franchise based on the books by Suzanne Collins. The film is once again directed by Francis Lawrence and is a direct continuation of the previous film, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
After the events of the last movie, humble heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is thrust into the gritty reality of war as the country of Panem dissolves into utter chaos. With the odds stacked against her, Katniss must rally her allies and friends in their biggest fight against the oppressive elites of the controlling Capitol.
Although the previous Hunger Games films were ripe with social commentary on wealth disparity and the lust for control, Mockingjay – Part 1 doubles down on the political drama and story of rebellion. This more mature storytelling offers a mixed experience that feels impressive yet reserved, lacking a bit of the ingenuity and mystery that made the first two films so compelling.
How to Stream or Download The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 Full Movie Online
To stream or to download the movie from a digital store of your choice, click on the Download button at the end of this review. Check out also the second film in the series: Catching Fire.
The Movie Review
Mockingjay – Part 1 picks up right where Catching Fire ended; a handful of contestants in the 75th Hunger Games narrowly escape with their lives after Katniss destroys the arena and is rescued by a faction of anti-Capitol rebels
While most of Katniss’s friends and family are spared, the Capitol responds by brutally bombing her hometown, the impoverished yet charming District 12. With her friend Peeta Mellark (John Hutcherson) being held hostage by the Capitol, Katniss must live up to her role as a symbol of hope and lead the rebellion in earnest.
Of course, this comes with its own fair share of issues, as Katniss quickly learns the harsh consequences of true war. As the bodies start to pile up, Katniss must bear the burden of remaining hopeful, even when all seems lost.
In terms of story structure and tone, Mockingjay – Part 1 is a big change of pace from the first two movies. Whereas the first two movies used the eponymous Hunger Games tournament as the main focus for their carnage and mayhem, Mockingjay – Part 1 lets the battle boil out in the many districts of Panem. It’s a much more straightforward story of good versus evil, but there’s still plenty of intrigue at play. In addition to providing safety and security for needy citizens, the faction of rebels led by Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and newcomer President Coin (Julianne Moore) execute a political strategy of propaganda and subterfuge.
At the same time, the antagonistic Capitol leader President Snow (Donald Sutherland) controls things from afar, using asymmetrical warfare to wipe entire cities off the map. There’s no big tournament to win, no special items to save the day, and everyone is hungry for blood. While the themes of Mockingjay – Part 1 stay true to the series’ roots, it loses some footing along the way.
Despite being approximately 20 minutes shorter than the previous movies, Mockingjay – Part 1 has a habit of dragging its feet. While there’s still a handful of explosive action scenes, the lack of a Hunger Games tournament is noticeable, which results in a less enthralling watch. However, this movie smartly uses the extra time by dumping most of the romantic subplots, instead offering some significant character development for key characters.
Over the course of the movie, Katniss grows from a naive and unruly participant to an experienced and enraged soldier of rebellion, fueled by horrific attacks by the Capitol. We also get to see more of the action happening in other districts, with scenes detailing acts riots and protests in areas we usually don’t get to see.
It’s great to see the Hunger Games films become more confident with the overarching plot, but it’s hard not to miss the climactic battle royale that offered some of the first two movie’s best moments. Despite the exclusion of the titular tournament and the drawn-out pacing, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 is a fun and bold penultimate film in the series.
While it might not have the mass appeal that the original movie did, this third flick will surely satisfy fans of both the books and the previous movies.
