After two excellent films in the series in the shape of The Hunger Games (2012) and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 is disappointingly underwhelming; merely content with flying high when it should have soared through the clouds. Sadly, that’s because this bird’s wings were clipped for financial reasons.

Taking a page out of films based on a popular series of books targeting young adults such as the Harry Potter series and the Twilight ‘saga’, the powers that be decided to stretch the final installment in the The Hunger Games series into two films. As a result, the first part of Mockingjay often feels like an episode of a TV show, lacking the complete substance of a film. The proof is in the pudding (which here was served for lunch and shall be reused for dinner in 2015 when we are treated to Part 2). According to Amazon.com, the first Hunger Games book was 384 pages, the second was 400, while Mockingjay also stands at 400.

Perhaps director Francis Lawrence should have sought inspiration from Peter Jackson and simply added content using the power of ‘artistic license’. At the very least the Hobbit films have been hugely entertaining, even if they have sucked a lake full of water out of a small cactus.

The first part of the latest Hunger Games series does little to whet the appetite

As with its predecessors, the first part of Mockingjay offers social and political commentary on the subject of war and propaganda. The difference is that in the earlier two films, these themes were more subtle and crept up on audiences by complementing the main storyline which offered romance, drama and some action as well. Here, due to the lack of material, such themes take forefront, and although interesting, barely hold the film together.

As you would expect, Mockingjay – Part 1 picks up where Catching Fire left off. Our brave and determined hero, the young Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has been rescued from the Games and now finds herself in District 13, the underground rebel stronghold. Soon, she meets President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), who informs her that she has grown as a symbol of the resistance against the cruel leadership of The Capitol. Her actions in the previous films have now led to rioting across the districts, resulting in harsher reactions from President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland), especially against those who reference Katniss in their acts of defiance.

Katniss is urged by President Coin and rebel leader Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to aid them in igniting the fire. However, she is reluctant, still smarting from the loss of those she left behind, including her love interest, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).

The performances here are good, especially from the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, who shows a glimpse of his tremendous acting talent which was tragically cut short in 2011.

Mockingjay – Part 1 certainly has its moments, including moving scenes where Katniss raises the hopes of those who have been treated brutally by The Capitol. There are also scenes of genuine tension towards the end through some engaging action sequences. But ultimately, Mockingjay – Part 1 leaves you feeling shortchanged thanks to a level of greed shown by the producers of this franchise that would have made the elite residents of The Capitol proud.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, December 14th, 2014