It’s said that all good things must come to an end. And that includes “The Hunger Games” stories and movies
Katniss, Peeta and Gale are back for one final romp on the silver screen and the wait has been worth it. The flavor and integrity of the story has been maintained throughout and the ending of the tale does not disappoint.
I’ve heard that a number of people who read the books weren’t happy with the ending. Rarely in life are we granted a perfect conclusion to every storyline. This story is very reminiscent of real life.
Up until now, we’ve seen PanEm as a society in chaos, settling down only when presented with annual games of survival that involve children who must fight to the death for the honor of their districts. When Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) steps in to save her kid sister, she starts a chain of events that lead to this, a final battle against the capital and the imperious leader President Snow (Donald Sutherland).
As with many stories of political intrigue, though, someone else may be manipulating the outcome for their own nefarious purposes. Katniss may just be a pawn in a bigger chess game. Yes, she’s a figurehead. She provides a rallying point that gives focus to the uprising. But not everything in this idyllic society is quite what it appears to be and not every ‘good guy’ is on the up and up.
In fact, some of this is actually telegraphed early on in the story. I picked up some vibes in the first few minutes of the movie that told me how this was going to end. And, by the way, I haven’t read the books yet. I’m intrigued now to see just how close the screen version is to the print version.
Jennifer Lawrence does not disappoint. Yet again, she carries the crux of the story and everything that happens revolves around her relationship with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and Gale (Liam Hemsworth). Even there, though, not everything is as it appears. After Peeta’s rescue, his brainwashing has made him a danger. The only question is, to whom?
Some of the other Tributes are also along for the ride for this last assault. And yet again, familiar and popular characters will die as this train rattles along the rails to its final conclusion.
Not everything that happens is entirely unexpected. Where the film falters is in its telegraphing of the key events that take place in the final act.
I like it when movies surprise me. I’m not too fond of it when I can guess where the movie is going to go and can pat myself on the back for postulating correctly and with stunning accuracy.
Donald Sutherland still brings his signature smarmy charm to the nefarious President Snow but even he knows a secret that he isn’t sharing with Katniss until the bitter end.
President Coyne also has a few secrets that she isn’t sharing, at least not with Katniss or the leadership of the revolution. The only person she shares her confidences with is Plutarch, played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in what will probably be his final screen appearance.
And in what is probably one of the movie series’ higher notes, a wedding will take place between two characters that provides a nice bright spot in an otherwise desolate story.
The door is still open for more stories in this richly layered world and it is anyone’s guess what the future may hold for the survivors. At the conclusion of the action, we’re treated to a few scenes that set the stage but anything else is left to our own imaginations. There are no unexpected Easter eggs here.
“The Hunger Games” is more a cautionary tale than a fairy tale. Parallels with our current world situation abound liberally throughout and there are signs that we too could be heading for the same type of totalitarian utopia presented in these stories. Only we the people can make sure that doesn’t happen.
I give “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” 4 out of 5 stars.
