The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2

Director Francis Lawrence's highly anticipated conclusion begins where Part 1 left off, with bruised and battered Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) recovering after being almost choked to death by brainwashed Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). While Katniss vows to kill despotic President Snow (Donald Sutherland), resistance leader Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) says that Katniss is more valuable as the iconic Mockingjay, inspiring others to band together and end district rivalries in Panem. But this reduces Katniss to a primarily passive figurehead, assigned to the Star Squad, which infiltrates a Capitol that has been booby-trapped against the rebels. Lots of violent, often fatal CGI skirmishes ensue, particularly when the squad takes a claustrophobic underground route, and winds up in battles with slithering sewer slimes. Resilient stylist Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) continues to flutter, while the videographer (Natalie Dormer) keeps the cameras rolling. Many feel that the third book in Suzanne Collins's trilogy is the weakest and never should have been split into two parts, but studio greed naturally prevailed. Even with the support of veterans Sutherland, Moore, Stanley Tucci, and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman (whose last Gamesmaker Plutarch Heavensbee's message is read aloud by Woody Harrelson's Haymitch), star Lawrence here seems to sense that this slog has become stale, while—as Katniss's suitors—Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth are dismally dull lumps. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson, the production featurettes “A Photographic Journey” (11 min.), “Cinna's Sketchbook: The Secrets of the Mockingjay Armor” (10 min.), and “Panem on Display: The Exhibition” (2 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are extensive “Pawns No More” making-of featurettes (142 min.), a “Jet to the Set” location special episode (42 min.), and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package—especially on Blu-ray—for this lackluster final entry in the franchise.] (S. Granger)