Film Fantastic but Flawed
SPOILERS
Mockingjay: Part 1, the first part of the Hunger Games finale, is, in one word, great. But I won't say that it's perfect. The graphics, scenery, and acting are great, with flaws. I won't go on about the differences between them movie and the book since there's really no point and mostly everything left out didn't do much to the book's plot either.
Jennifer Lawrence does fantastic as Katniss Everdeen as ever. The performances by Phillip Seymour Hoffman (may he rest in peace) and Julianne Moore are nothing short of amazing. Julianne Moore in particular brings President Alma Coin to life, giving her more character than a stone-cold ruler as in the books, but without ruining her personality.
The movie itself receives most of its criticisms from its slow pace compared to its predecessors. Mockingjay has more of a dark, slow feel to it instead of an action-packed, upbeat feel that we got from the Games. It's not necessarily bad, just a bit of a lag when you compare it to the faster plots of the first two movies. Some parts are dragged on, some are too short, but that's seen in every movie. The story also does a marvelous job of expanding the plot. In the books, we only see things playing out in Katniss's point of view. Here, we see how President Snow is managing and how the other Districts are faring in the rebellion. "The Hanging Tree" sequence is of stunning display, and bless your soul if you don't enjoy it in the slightest.
My main issue with this film is...well...
Alright, I'll say it simply: Mockingjay isn't the kind of plot to have a good dividing point for a sequel. Now, I understand why they had to put the finale into two films, as a single result would leave us watching it for five hours and still have the plot rushed. The movie couldn't really dodge this bullet. There was no way to have a satisfactory ending because the book never provides a point to do so. So, yes, I'm upset with the way this film ended, but it really was unavoidable.
So, yes, go see this movie if you're a fan of The Hunger Games series, just don't expect to leave the theater satisfied.
Film Mockingjay Part 1: Feels like half a movie
Mockingjay - Part 1 does not manage to justify the split of the final Hunger Games installment, and it is probably the weakest film in the movie series - strangely unengaging at times, due to the lack of action and the feeling that it's all buildup, no payoff. However, it's still effective in most fronts, and weaves an intriguing, precise connection between the concepts of modern media, "viral videos" and propaganda. It is thus elevated above most films of its genre, but simply not as thrilling as its predecessors. I'd give it 3/5 stars, and I'm eagerly awaiting Mockingjay Part 2.
Film Part 1 is full of padding
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 is full of padding in attempt to justify making it a 2-part movie. We get:
All in all, you could probably cut about half the movie and not miss any content or subtleties. Honestly, I wish they had. Granted, there are some really good scenes in this movie (she has some great moments working with the rebellion), but they are hampered by the fact that there is so much timewasting in between.
My recommendation: wait until part 2 comes out and just watch this before then. It will still be a long movie, but it won't be as much of a time waster.