The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material.
Run Time: 123 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So tonight my wife and I decided to see Liongate's The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 starring Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook), Josh Hutcherson (Journey to the Center of the Earth), Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song), Julianne Moore (Non-Stop), and Donald Sutherland (Italian Job).  The film is the third installment of The Hunger Games franchise by Suzanne Collins.  The film picks up directly following the events of the previous installment The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has just been retrieved from the Quarter Quell and has been taken to District 13, where she is reunited with her mother, sister, and best friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth).  Upon arrival she is summoned to have a meeting with President Coin (Julianne Moore), the leader of District 13 and of the rebellion, where she is asked to become the Mockingjay, or the face of the revolution.  As Katniss begins to take upon the burden of uniting the districts of Panem together to fight against the Capitol and President Snow (Donald Sutherland), she receives opposition from her partner Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), who is being kept at the Capitol.  As the revolution begins, lives will be lost and sacrifices will be made in this thrilling first part of The Hunger Games franchise epic finale.
I absolutely loved this film.  I thought that this was a fantastic start to The Hunger Games finale.  Since the beginning of the second film, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, director Francis Lawrence has been building up to the ultimate revolution and this is just another great step in the right direction.  I will let you know first thing that this is not your typical Hunger Games movie where children are killing each other.  Actually to tell you the truth, there isn't much action in the film at all, but it mostly details the beginning of the revolution and Katniss Everdeen's role in that.  However, that doesn't mean this film lacks when it comes to intensity and emotion.  As the destruction of Panem is shown on the screen one can't up but feel distraught and want the revolution to happen.
The entire film is held together by the wonderful cast.  Each actor of this all-star cast brings something special to the film.  The actor that truly stands out though is none other than Katniss herself Jennifer Lawrence.  She is truly an amazing actress and she takes control over every scene that she is in.  She shows so much emotion in this film and power that you can't help but like her.  Jennifer Lawrence is definitely a force to be reckoned with and it is simply impossible to picture any other actress that could have made Katniss so likable.  Jennifer Lawrence is the complete package and this film definitely shows that.
As if you couldn't tell, I absolutely love this film.  It is another great installment in the Hunger Games franchise and definitely is a must-see.  This film shows the right way to adapt Young Adult books to the big screen.  It shows that the genre isn't just for teenagers, but for everyone.  This is definitely a must-see for anyone who has taken the time to read or watch the previous installments.  I promise you won't be disappointed.