The Hunger Games Mockingjay part 1

Let me start by saying that I love The Hunger Games series. I think it’s one of the best series out here for young adults (and older people my mum is even a fan). I went to the midnight premiere of the first part of Mockingjay last night (or this morning whatever you say). It was also a marathon so I saw the three movies in one night and it was a great experience

Trailer

If the video doesn’t work, click here.

What did I think and a recap
The hunger game is not just a love story and it’s not a simple love triangle. The story is very deep with a lot of moving parts.  The movies stay very close to the books. It’s something I really enjoy.

Let me tell you what happened before Mockingjay to refresh you memory:(If you haven’t seen The Hunger Games series by all means don’t read this because of spoilers.)

The Hunger Games

The story takes place years from now in America. The world as we know it is destroyed. Thirteen districts were formed. But people didn’t like it that much there came an uprising so the country was at war yet again. Then came the peace. It was written that the now twelve districts would each select a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 17 to fight till the dead in the area, the last one alive is crowned victor. That has been going on for 74 years. And then we meet Katniss Everdeen, her little sister Prim, and her best friend Gale. At the reaping Prim’s name is called but Katniss volunteers to go in her place the boy that gets reaped that year is called Peeta Mellark. Peeta is in love with Katniss and she plays along because it may get them sponsors throughout the game. Which could save her life. Peeta and Katniss get thrown into the game and when they announce that two victors can be chosen Katniss hunts down Peeta and they team up. They win and are the victors of the 74th Hunger Games. But the president isn’t too happy about it.

Catching fire

So then they go on tour to celebrate their victory but the districts don’t believe the love story and are willing to rebel. Snow (the president) doesn’t like so he wants them to convince everyone that they are in love including him. When both Katniss and Peeta understand they are never going to get away from the act that’s their love story they decide to get engaged because they think people will believe their story then. Gale’s behaviour changed when Katniss came back from the games. He wants her to know that he loves her. She loves Gale too but she can’t afford to think that way. And then there is Peeta. Katniss cares for Peeta and Gale doesn’t like this that much.  The 75th Hunger Games is announced, is a quarter quell this is a special game. The male and female tributes need to be reaped out of the bowl of victors. This means that Katniss is going back into the games. Last time she just wanted to survive for her sister but she knows that there is just going to be one winner of these games she has a different approach this year, Peeta needs to be saved but people have started to rebel against the government and Peeta and Katniss are just a piece in the game so when the cable that is supposed to go into the water gets stuck and Johanna guts out Katniss’ tracker she doesn’t know what is happening all she can think about is saving Peeta. When Katniss sees Finnick she wants to shoot an arrow at him because she feels like they broke the alliance but then he quotes Haymitch who is her mentor. “Remember who the real enemy is”. And when the lightning hits the tree Katniss shoots an arrow with the cable around it to the top of the arena. The arena breaks down and Katniss is saved. When she wakes up she learns that Peeta is in the hands of the Capitol and that her district is destroyed. She needs to be the Mockingjay; she needs to be the face of the rebellion.

So there we have it, remember that? I could write even more about the story and I couldn’t keep it short and sweet so that is where we left off. Katniss was going to District thirteen, to be the Mockingjay.

What did I think?

Mockingjay is so different than the other movies but in a good way because the last book is so different too. The characters change, they get stronger because they grow so much in the movies. I fell in love with the characters in a different way because they changed so much. It’s not just the games anymore it is war. And that changes things. I love that Katniss finally realises what Peeta means to her, when she is struggling to be the face of the rebellion she misses what he brings to the table. I loved the film, the character development was really good, as well as the portrayal of PTSD that the characters suffered from. The ending was phenomenal. It was a plot twist as well as a good ending, I can’t wait for the next film.

So you should see this movie. The story is great, the cast is the best and overall it’s just a great movie and worth it!

Book or movie?

Have you read the books? I saw the book come alive in this movie. I loved it so much! It was a well-done movie. The changes in Peeta’s character are wonderfully done. The struggle of Katniss in this movie is so great. In The Hunger Games Peeta and Katniss meet each other and become friends, In catching fire you see them fall in love even though Katniss doesn’t want to admit that. In Mockingjay things change… for both of them. I loved both the movie and the books and they both have their strengths. In this case, one isn’t better than the other. I enjoyed both.

 

Did you see Mockingjay or are you going to see it? What did you think? Let me know

 

Lots of love, Melissa