“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1” is the third movie in the Hunger Games franchise and was released on November 21, 2014.
The movie follows the main character, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), as she adapts to her new role as the Mockingjay for District 13 after the 75th Hunger Games. Her ultimate goal is to influence and give hope to the other districts, hoping they will turn against the Capitol in the Rebellion. However, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) is captured by the Capitol and brainwashed. Katniss prepares a rescue mission to save Peeta and Johanna Mason (Jena Malone). As Katniss struggles to save Peeta and lead the Rebellion, the nation of Panem is slowly being destroyed by the hands of President Snow (Donald Sutherland).
The setting during “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1” is primarily an underground military bunker of District 13. It’s claustrophobic and discreet, which plays a huge role in Katniss’s feelings towards Panem. Katniss sees how people have to hide themselves, just to hide from the Capitol and the President. This influences her to become the Mockingjay for the Rebellion. It shows contrast compared to the colorful Capitol and gives Katniss a more controlled environment. Also, Katniss is prepared to fight against the Capitol after seeing how much the Capitol destroyed her home. She visited her home, District 12, and found it in ruins.
Katniss’s character development throughout the movie changes positively as she grows into the Mockingjay. She begins the film as a traumatized survivor into a committed symbol of the Rebellion. This development mainly comes from trauma and having to deal with grief. Katniss lost her home and the grief she is feeling from Peeta and the friends she lost during the games. By the end of the movie, she is deeply committed towards destroying the Capitol and President Snow after everything they have put her through.
“The Hunger Games: The Mockingjay — Part 1” deserves a 4 star rating because of the high intensity scenes and how much the tone shifted after Katniss arrived at District 13.
