Movie Review: Hunger Games Mockingjay part 2 (2015)

This is the last installment of the Hunger Games Movie.  I had read the books, so knew what to expect; however Caleb, who had not read the books commented that it was pretty intense.  I hoped beyond home that Primrose (Willow Shields) wouldn’t die as she did in the books.  Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) was wounded on several occasions, beginning with the choking she took in the last movie.  At another point she was shot, and if not for her armor would have perished.  She was also almost blown up at another point.  This movie is intense, with some pretty wicked traps and monsters out to get them as they travel to the capitol to kill President Snow (Donald Sutherland).  It answers a couple questions.  Who will be the next ruler?  It appears President Coin (Julianne Moore) is ready to take over, and continue the games.  This show also answers the question, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) or Gale (Liam Hemsworth). There are some scenes that were really scary.  Especially as they faced those creatures under the street level.  Scary!  Based on the book by Suzanne Collins.

Movie Review: ****Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1

I have enjoyed the presentation of the "Hunger Games" books in the theaters.  I went and saw the third installment, which is the first half of the third book.  Again it was very entertaining.  We are now past the arena, and the sinister game of the capital, and into a real revolution.  Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is recruited to serve the rebellion as a spokesperson.  She finally accepts, and is drawn into the conflict, and is the favorite target of President Snow (Donald Sutherland).  Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) is held captive by the capital, and his captivity is a major focus of this film, his torture and his eventual rescue.  However, the torture has influenced his mind to the point where he has been brain washed and manipulated, first as the spokesman of the capital, and then as an assassin. 
However has Peeta really been turned, because he does get a warning through to the rebels in District 13 that they are due to be bombed.  The other person prominent in the movie is Gale (Liam Hemsworth).  Gale is Katniss' first love, who has now joined the rebels.
The idea of this movie is very good.  It is very tense. The back and forth between Snow and Katniss is very well down, as President Snow tries to break Katniss, by sending white roses, and by manipulating Peeta, and finally by making Peeta into a killing machine.

Movie Review: ****Hunger Games

The thought of children killing children is eerie, and I was hesitant to watch this movie as a result.  I think the bloodshed was done as tastefully as it could be, but still it leaves you with a bad feeling. This movie stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen who is good with a bow and arrow, and volunteers for the Hunger Ganes to save her sister.

I keep mulling in my head, what is the theme of this movie?  What is it trying to say?  Is it saying something about governments and power?  Is it saying something about relationships when there is an over bearing government?  When there is the chance that your child will be picked for a game that will most likely leave you child dead, how do you react?  They try to glorify the contestants, giving them fancy clothes to wear and good food to eat, but there is the ominous presence of death in the room.  The presence of death is engrained in the society through the games, and in this manner the Capitol controls the provinces.

The story goes that they have been playing the “Hunger Games” for the past 74 years—ever since 12 of the provinces rebelled against the government.  The war was won by the government, and the game helps keep this in everyone’s mind, that the provinces were defeated and the central government is supreme.  This is a punishment for the rebellion, but also they say good will from the government as they take only two children from each province each year, rather than the greater bloodshed which would be caused by war. 

The two children Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) from district 12 survive the games, having to show everyone they are a couple so as to avoid the wrath of the government.  However there is another boy who loves the heroine, Gale (Liam Hemsworth.) 

The President, portrayed by Donald Sutherland, is in a position to be very evil in the next movie, at least so it appeared at the end of the movie.

Movie Review: ****^Hunger Games: Catching Fire

It is hard to critique a movie after watching it for the first time, because you are still moved from the emotion of the movie and feeling violence of the movie.  This is the continuation of "Hunger Games."  In this movie, we are introduced to Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) as the spark of revolution.  Her boyfriend Gale (Liam Hemsworth) is invited to runaway with a few.  However, how would the protect the entire community.  She is given the task by President Snow (Don Sutherland) of convincing the people that she and her pretend boyfriend, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are madly in love, as was given for the reason they would both take the berries in the first movie.  This is agreed to, but things have already been put into play, and this is something that will be hard to stop.  The provinces are restless, after the last games and Katniss, whether she meant to or not is the reason.  I like the trip to District eleven, and the spontaneous speeches from Katniss and Peeta.  It causes a riot, but was very well done and moving.
And so for the 75th games, she and Peeta are back into the arena.  Again Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) is their mentor.  The new games master is Plutarch Heavensby (Philip Seymour Hoffman.) However this time things are different.  The president, and the empire are still ruthless, putting down the masses, and living a life of extravagance, while those in the provinces starve.  This ruthlessness can became their own undoing however as more and more people turn against them.
This is a great ride, it is a bit bloody, but tremendous fun.  One thing for sure, it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Book Review: ****^Mockingjay (Hunger Games 3)

This story starts with Catniss Everdeen having to decide if she is willing to be the “Mocking Jay” or no.  She finally agrees, if she is allowed to be the won to kill President Snow.  As such she becomes part of the public relations team to turn the rebel provinces against the Capitol.  Eventually all the districts turn, which makes for a last assault.  Much of the book centers on Peeta; who is held captive by the Capitol and Snow.  Peeta is the p.r. man for the Capitol’s cause, arguing against the war.  Those who know Peeta, and love him, when they see him on the t.v. screen, know that he has been tortured and manipulated.

Peeta is finally rescued from the Capitol, along with several other key people.  The first thing he tries to do is choke the life out of Catniss.  Turns out he had been brain washed and manipulated with the use of sting bees which cause delusions.  He has a hard time knowing what is real and what is not.
Catniss and Peeta end on a team in the Capitol.  Catniss is sure Peeta is on the team because  the president of the districts wants her dead.
They fight their way to President Snow's mansion, when the most unexpected things happen.  Reading, it reminded me of the explosion in the third Star Wars, an attempt at assassination.  This explosion had the same jolting effect.  I did not like the result.  The story does not end anything like you would expect, but somehow the author comes to a happy conclusion.  I think I will miss these characters.  Snow dies in the end, but Catniss doesn't kill him. 

Book Review: ****^Mockingjay (Hunger Games 3)

This story starts with Catniss Everdeen having to decide if she is willing to be the “Mocking Jay” or no.  She finally agrees, if she is allowed to be the one to kill President Snow.  As such she becomes part of the public relations team to turn the rebel provinces against the Capitol.  Eventually all the districts turn, which makes for a last assault.  Much of the book centers on Peeta; who is held captive by the Capitol and Snow.  Peeta is the p.r. man for the Capitol’s cause, arguing against the war.  Those who know Peeta, and love him, when they see him on the t.v. screen, know that he has been tortured and manipulated.

Peeta is finally rescued from the Capitol, along with several other key people.  The first thing he tries to do is choke the life out of Catniss.  Turns out he had been brain washed and manipulated with the use of sting bees which cause delusions.  He has a hard time knowing what is real and what is not.
Catniss and Peeta end on a team in the Capitol.  Catniss is sure Peeta is on the team because the president of the districts wants her dead.
They fight their way to President Snow's mansion, when the most unexpected things happen.  Reading, it reminded me of the explosion in the third Star Wars, an attempt at assassination.  This explosion had the same jolting effect.  The story does not anything like you would expect, but somehow the author comes to a happy conclusion.  I think I will miss these characters.  Snow dies in the end, but Catniss doesn't kill him.

Book Review: ****Catching Fire (Hunger Games II)

This is the second book in the Hunger Games Series.  It is written by Suzanne Collins and produced by Scholastic Press 2009.  It is just as good as the first in the series.  The unexpected twist is that Peeta and Catniss end back in the games for the second year in a row.  After that happened, I thought it would be too close to the first book; but it had enough twists to be interesting.  It also had just as many deaths, but this time from amongst those who have survived the hunger games at least once.  Gale (Catniss' boyfriend) is still left out, but he comes in at the end. There is also the issue of still going along with wedding plans, and announcing  a pregnancy for sympathy (but is not actually true.)  President Snow is still ruthless and sinister.  However there is a growing underground, which makes for an interesting ending.  It is left with the announcement, made by Gale at the end; District 12 no longer exists.

Book Review: ****Hunger Games

I finished Hunger Games yesterday.  It is written by Suzanne Collins and published by Scholastic Press in 2008.  It is a very good expose of youth in war, and stands up there with the Ender Books by Orson Scott Card.  I have only read the first so my comparison may be premature; but the first book was very entertaining.  It is a bit violent, but I don't think it is over done.

The premise is that, 74 years ago, because of the rebellion of the districts, and the Capitol winning the war, each district must give two children, a male and a female, who are then involved in a game to the death, with only one of the children surviving.  The children are between the ages of twelve and seventeen.  Some are better prepared than others, but each district; twelve in all (the thirteenth was completely obliterated) must give their children, as the Capitol exerts its control and demonstrates its power.  The games are used as a system of control.

The politics behind decisions make the book more interesting.  These decisions even effect who you can love.  But there is always the threat of retaliation by the government, which could include death.

The action is well done, and the lead characters, Catniss and Peeta who are in the games, and Gale who is Catniss' hunting partner, have an interesting love triangle, but Catniss is determined not to marry or have children who would be subject to the games.

My daughter recommended this book saying it is an easy and entertaining read.  This is true.  I read it in two days.  I recommend this book.