HUNGAH GAMEZ! "Mockingjay: Part 1" - Latest Victim of the "Drawn-Out Franchise" Ploy
Where to begin...
So, as I sat in the theater after watching "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1", while the credits were rolling, I immediately began to think about what I wanted to say in regards to this feature. This blog, the premise behind The Optimist is that this would be a place where one could find positive reviews from a guy who loves everything there is about film. As I took in the events that occurred on screen during this particular film, knowing that there had to be a positive review floating around in my head somewhere, a scene from another film popped into mind. I pictured Heath Ledger's iconic Joker from "The Dark Knight" in the interrogation room of GCPD; Batman himself throwing the mad man around the room in hopes to squeeze some positive, useful information out of the Clown Prince. Batman has a rule, and Joker doesn't hesitate to reveal that in order to obtain the desired outcome: "You're gonna have to break your one rule." Hopefully that won't happen here, but I have a feeling it might. What I'll start with though, in regards to "Mockingjay: Part 1", is that the best part about this film is Jennifer Lawrence...hands down. The worst part about this film is the fact that it's a "Part 1" and that it's been split into two films.
There are so many sources of great material that have jumped from the pages of a book onto the big screen and have brought beloved stories to life in an entirely different way. Sometimes they work (i.e. "The Lord of the Rings"; by far I feel the best book-to-film adaptation to date), or they don't (i.e. "Eragon"...honestly, what were they thinking?). Why Hollywood thinks that splitting the last book adapted from an anthology into two separate films is a smart thing to do, is truly beyond me. Take the Harry Potter Franchise for instance. The first six films, all having their own individual flaws and successes, did their respective books justice and allowed for, what I like to call, an "entertainment singularity" to each film. As for the last..."Deathly Hallows: Part 1" was the most boring of the lot. Why? Because it's difficult to spend an entire movie building to a climax that won't be seen until a later movie, and still make it entertaining in it's own individual right. It's unfortunate, but "Mockingjay: Part 1" falls into the same pit. It's a drawn out, deep-breath-before-the-plunge type film. Personally, the people who will love this film no matter what are those who have read the original source material. Having not read The Hunger Games, my perspective is based solely on the films; but lets be honest, movies are never as good as the books anyway.
So let's shy away a bit from some of the gloom. There's still enough good that can be said about "Mockingjay: Part 1". Jennifer Lawrence being the biggest aspect. It's no real shock that the level of talent she wields is pure, high-caliber stuff. She won an Oscar for crying out loud, and rightfully so. As Katniss, she brings a believability, vulnerability and an overwhelming sense of likableness that is both refreshing and (most importantly), entertaining. Her performance as Katniss is what truly makes these films great. The extended cast is fantastic as well, don't get me wrong, all of which seem to have stepped up their game tremendously in this film; but the Girl on Fire has got it goin' on. "Mockingjay: Part 1" picks up shortly after the events of the previous film. Panem is in disarray after Katniss destroyed the games. Rumors of a rebellion start floating around. Katniss finds herself in District 13 and is persuaded to be the face of said growing rebellion against the colorfully autocratic Capitol and it's mysterious President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Katniss' experience in the games has broken her down and it's easy to see the level of emotional trauma she carries with her as she struggles with her place among the chaos. Jennifer Lawrence is Katniss. She owns this character and completely imbues the emotional roller coaster her character goes through almost effortlessly. You want to support her and console her all at the same time. It's a pretty cathartic experience as an audience member to watch her become this powerful individual. Jennifer Lawrence is what makes this movie worth watching.
Being the first part of a two-part movie basically, the film focuses on building the tension. It's like climbing the high dive at the swimming pool and "Part 2" would be the walk out onto the board and the eventual dive. Only in the case of "Mockingjay: Part 1", its ascent is really, really slow. There are a few emotionally driven and intense action sequences, all of which are pretty cool in their own right, but they're over as quickly as they start. District 13 is an intriguing place, and the new cast of characters that live there are equally interesting and fun. I won't spoil anything, but I feel the film ended about five minutes too late; kind of anti-climactic. Had they made ONE three-hour movie instead of two separate films, it might have been more entertaining. Other than trying to milk the money cow as much as possible, I don't understand why Hollywood does this. "Mockingjay: Part 1" will fall into the same category as "Deathly Hallows: Part 1" in being the most boring of their respected franchises. In a nutshell, I just feel sorry for the film. If it were a living, breathing entity I would want to give it a hug and say, "It's okay, it's not your fault. Hollywood made you do it."
But what do I know, right? "Mockingjay: Part 1" is going to kill it in the box office this weekend, and probably next weekend as well over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Hunger Games franchise is a fantastic one. I've loved the last two films, the second one especially; and I'm willing to bet that "Mockingjay: Part 2" will be the best of the lot. One might say I'm...optimistic.
It's just sad we'll have to wait a year for it.
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