Mockingjay Newbie

Reporter | Anjalie Chauhan

Following a year of suffering without any knowledge of how The Hunger Games movies would progress, I was glad to get back into the theater. Because I had never read The Hunger Games books, I was able to completely enjoy the movie with no expectations.

From the very start of the movie I was sitting on the edge of my seat. The sounds and visual effects blew my mind and made me feel as if I were alongside Katniss while she was shooting arrows.

Due to the sound effects, I was jumping up at every exciting moment, making my neighbors wonder whether I was okay. The sound and visual effects added to the thrill of the movie.

Not only did the effects help the movie succeed, but so did the costuming and set design. The audience could see the emotional and physical state of each character through their costumes.

For once I appreciated the use of mountains of makeup on the actors’ faces. Peeta’s makeup was placed perfectly to show the state of his body and mind.

Adding to the aesthetics of the movie, the actors were well chosen. Each actor was able to accurately capture the personality of their character, especially Jennifer Lawrence. I was in awe of her acting skills. I loved how all of her expressions were on point and added so much to the movie.

To praise her even more, I loved how Lawrence sang “The Hanging Tree.” I couldn’t get over the fact that all her actions and expressions were so human.

Apart from the visuals, the script was also amazing. No line was wasted. Every bit of dialogue was used to accurately describe the situation characters were in.

The only problem I have with The Hunger Games movies is that I have to wait a whole year before my thirst for knowledge is quenched. However, this is true for every movie that comes in a series.

Overall, The Hunger Games movies just keep getting better, making me even more restless for the next movie to come out. The movie is a must see and will blow every audience member’s mind.

A Fan of the Books

Online Opinions Editor | Sanskriti Neupane

As a faithful follower of Suzanne Collins’ popular trilogy, the announcement of  Mockingjay – Part One left me with mixed feelings. Nevertheless, the promise of a broken Katniss struggling against the Capitol convinced me to overlook the months spent dealing with the inevitable cliffhanger.

As the camera focused on the cowering Katniss, I knew I made the right decision. With a sinister underlying tone, Mockingjay was already superior to its earlier counterparts.

Every move was enhanced by the stunning special effects. Each explosion was dramatic, yet still realistic. With the skill of the special effects crew, Mockingjay gave insight where the books could not.

Teamed with the effects and the breathtaking costumes, the cast’s superior acting abilities brought the movie together. Jennifer Lawrence didn’t need words—she expressed all of Katniss’s feelings through facial expressions and heartbreaking tears.

Sam Claflin made every scene he was in better. Finnick’s humor and ability to persevere through everything was evident in every word he spoke. Even in the darkest of scenes, Claflin added much needed light.

However, it was Josh Hutcherson who made the movie special. Even with little screen time, Hutcherson managed to show Peeta’s desperation while maintaining the charismatic and innocent attitude that makes Peeta special.

Elizabeth Banks, as Effie Trinket, brought light to dark times, although she was not necessary to the movie. In the book Effie is not seen until the end of Mockingjay, and the movie didn’t need her so quickly either.

The movie did stray from the book at times. It did not develop Finnick as well and it didn’t explore Katniss’s relationship with her father. Aside from some disparities, Mockingjay manages to follow the book, and certain changes made the movie better.

Magnificent special effects, the chilling “The Hanging Tree” song and the brilliant acting made Mockingjay a movie everyone needs to experience at least once.