The Hunger Games 4: Mockingjay Part 2

The Hunger Games 4: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


For the ending of a rather popular series, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Haven't gotten around to reading the books yet, so I have no comparison there. It seems as if one dangerous situation or close call follows another. Some that aren't even real, but are chosen to be portrayed as deadly to build up the "Mockingjay." Katniss, on the other hand, goes off the deep end a bit and is determined to kill Snow. Only... it's not really Snow she plays executioner for in the end (though I suppose it doesn't hurt that he's already dying). The ending is a little disjointed as Katniss goes nearly instantly from idolized hero to escaped criminal. That's not even adding the time jump with Peta back in their District - which is conveniently left abandoned besides their little family. Convenient? Really, I think the whole story is just one example after another of just how messed up Panem and all it's citizens really are. Kind of feeling disenchanted with all the hype at this point.

The Hunger Games 3: Mockingjay Part 1

The Hunger Games 3: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


We weren't incredibly interested in seeing this one "on time" given it's part one of two, and you have to wait another year for the ending. This first part, while sometimes rather dramatic, is very slow in it's pace. Likely this is because, being part 1 of 2, it is primarily meant to set the stage for the ending rather than really being it's own stand alone film. We'll likely re-watch this just before the sequel comes out and see if that helps with the attention span and draw any, or if it at least does help set up things in the final film.

The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire (2013)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Katniss and Peeta are dragged back into the Games thanks to a rather vindictive President Snow. Greasy surprised me this time around with her support of Katniss and Peeta. Peeta pulls out yet another last minute stunt trying to sway the public in Katniss' favor with the pregnancy ploy. Interesting twist at the end that so many tributes were joining forces to save her, as well as her anger over leaving Peeta behind. Looks like their story might not be as fake and forced as she portrays, despite her frazzled nerves and obvious fish-out-of-water approach to what she's doing.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (2012)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Not having read the books yet, I can't compare the media types, though my husband says they did a decent job overall. Very reminiscent of Battle Royale, though not as bloody, perhaps due to it's young adult audience. Of course Katniss has to survive to the end of the Hunger Games one way or another as it does not appear there would be a series without her. From the looks of things at the end though, there's trouble brewing both within her own conflicted love triangle and some powerful enemies she may have made in the government by ultimately refusing to play their game. She's won for now, but it definitely isn't over.