Available today on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is the third installment of the popular book and movie series, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I.
I am a huge fan of the movie series (I’ve read two of the books thus far). I did not have a chance to see the film in the theater so I have been anxiously waiting for the third installment to become available for home viewing.
Mockingjay Part I picks up where the previous movie left off.
After surviving her second round of the Hunger Games, Katniss awakens to find herself in District 13 which is deep underground. She also finds that her mother, sister Prim and best friend Gale are also there, including others she trusts.
District 13 is under the leadership of President Coin (played by Julienne Moore). Katniss also learns that her friend Peeta has been captured and is being held at the capital.
President Coin wants Katniss to become the poster child for the rebellion. Katniss wants nothing to do with it unless President Coin agrees to help Peeta and Annie (another Hunger Games survivor) get freed from the Capital. President Coin reluctantly agrees.
Katniss is taken out to visit other districts. She quickly learns how heartless the Capital is and how they don’t care who they kill including innocent and unarmed men, women and children.
District 13 makes plans to rescue Peeta and Annie, but the inhabitants of District 13 are not too keen on helping Peeta. Peeta has been appearing on many propaganda videos begging Katniss to give up her fight and begging the districts to back down to restore law and order again in Panem.
It is believed that Peeta might be under some kind of mind control. They need to save him before it’s too late.
Will Peeta be saved? Will Katniss efforts to bring the districts together to fight the Capital or will she fail? To find out what happens next you need to pick up a copy of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I, now available where most movies are sold.
I liked this film, but I found it to be a bit less action packed than the previous two films, and a bit more political. I realize that this is necessary because there is a lot of politics in this film. I also found the end of the film a lot more exciting than the beginning, especially with what transpires between Katniss and Peeta. I can’t believe what happened! Now I am anxious to see the next installment to find out if their relationship could ever be mended.
I’m curious to see how they continue the role of Plutarch played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. He had a few scenes in Mockingjay Part I.
I miss the action of the first two films but I have a feeling this film is leading up to an epic ending. This film is more about the rebellion and making Katniss their symbol and figurehead.
There are a lot of bonus features with the blu-ray. If you have the chance I would recommend you check them out. They offer a lot of behind the scenes look at the making of this film. It’s pretty amazing how they film the scenes and how much is real and how much is green screen.
The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of Mockingjay Part 1: If you have the opportunity to check out these bonus features I would recommend it. I found them very interesting. It also gives me a better appreciation for the film when you know how much goes into bringing it all to life from the wardrobe to the visual effects.
- Hope and Rebellion: Continuing the Saga
- Designing Dystopia: Visual Aesthetic
- Rebels and Warriors: The Cast
- Fusing Form and Function: Costume, Make-Up and Hair
- Fighting the System: Shooting on Location
- D13: Rebellion Tactics: Stunts and Special Effects
- Perfecting Panem: The Post-Production Process
Straight from the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman
Songs of Rebellion: Lorde on Creating the Soundtrack
Deleted Scenes
Lorde “Yellow Flicker Beat” Music Video
There are a few more bonus features (such as audio commentary).
If you are a fan of the Hunger Games series you must check out Mockingjay Part I. You won’t be disappointed.
Are you a fan of the book and/or movie series? Have you see The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I? If so, what did you think about the film? Are you excited to see Part II? Feel free to share your thoughts.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
