The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

The Hunger Games MockingJay Part 2GoMovieReviews Rating:★★★☆ (3.9/5)

Director: Francis Lawrence

Screenplay: Peter Craig, Danny Strong

Based on ‘Mockingjay’ by Suzanne Collins

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrleson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Julianne Moore.

I had to play catch up with this one, having missed the last two releases.

Catching Fire was a pleasant surprise. I love the characters going back into The Games. And what a pleasure to see Philip Seymour Hoffman on the screen again (sob, sob). What an amazing actor (Capote (2005), Doubt (2008), The Ides of March (2011), A Most Wanted Man (2014), to name a few). It was a nice touch to dedicate the Mockingjay Part 1 to him in the credits. The reworking of the script to include a letter written by Hoffman’s character, Heavensbee, for the final instalment was well done by director, Francis Lawrence (director of the final three instalments). The letter read by Woody Harrelson’s character, Haymmitch Abernathy. See article in The Los Angeles Times here…

There was potential for Mockingjay to become saccharine, with the propaganda, and emotive speeches that became the focus of Part 1. Thankfully, the character Johanna Mason (Jena Malone, well cast, I say), had the hard authentic nasty to bring the film back from too much cheese.

Mockingjay 2 takes us to the final battle against the Capitol and tyranny of President Snow.

Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), has become the symbol of the rebellion and under the direction of Coin (Julianne Moore), the leader of District 13, the Districts are aligning behind the symbol of the Mockingjay.

Facing battles from all sides, including her once trusted ally, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Katniss must stay strong to overthrow Snow. But Snow won’t go quietly, and hence the battle for the Capitol becomes the final Hunger Games.

I haven’t read the books so the story with its twists and turns was a welcome surprise for me. The characters were becoming a little flat, the story a bit too: bad guys versus good guys in Part 1; Part 2 has enough twists to keep the story interesting.

The inclusion of Katniss singing The Hanging Tree in Part 1 as the rebels’ anthem was genius. Jennifer Lawrence has a lovely, simple warm voice that was a nice finishing touch in Part 2.

I liked this film. It was a well thought-out conclusion to the saga, and I left with a satisfied, warm feeling.

 

Crimson Peak

Crimson PeakGoMovieReviews Rating: ★★☆ (2.5/5)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Screenplay: Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins, Lucinda Coxon

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikow, Charlie Hunnam, Jim Beaver

Yes, there is lots of red. And perhaps I should have drunk some red to get through this one.

It’s one of those movies I just have to watch. Ghosts, a love story and blood. I love the romantic gothic, old fashioned gore, and Crimson Peak looked to meet all my expectations.

Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikow), believes in ghosts. She can see ghosts.  Some are good, some are bad, and they’re all pretty scary. Yes, there’s the classic love story of girl meets Baronet bad boy. And there are surprisingly graphic bloody bits. But Crimson Peak just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

I’m not sure if it was the acting or the story that annoyed me. But I was disappointed to see Charlie Hunnam, you know, the guy out of Sons of Anarchy, playing the part of Dr. Alan McMichael. What a waste. I found Mia Wasikow, playing Edith Cushing, a bit forced. This also could have been the script writing. But I found her the same in Alice in Wonderland (2010), so maybe I’m just not a big fan. There were a few red (ha, ha, excuse the pun) herrings in the story as well. Nothing was ever made of Edith being a writer, yet this seemed the most important part of her character.

The saving grace was the visual effects. There’s something about falling snow within a grand old castle. With chandeliers, sweeping staircases and dark ghosts creeping out of the shadows. Very nicely done, if not over-done. Really, there can be such a thing as too much crimson!

I’d say Crimson Peak is suited to a younger crowd, even with the gory bits. Those who enjoyed The Twilight Saga film series would probably enjoy this film. More of a teen love story with ghosts and guts.

 

 

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