Mockingjay Part 2 sets box office ablaze

By HEATHER JACKLING

In a world of strangely dressed dystopian rulers, Katniss Everdeen stands tall as a symbol of unity for the rebel soldiers. She represents the perseverance of faith in humanity even in the midst of total adversity, sending a great message of heroism and perseverance. The film has generated a large fan base of readers and movie goers both young and old.

Overall “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” was a movie well worth the money. The final cinematic installment of the franchise was definitely a great way to end the series, and it was the best movie out of all of them. If you are someone who has never seen the previous films, it definitely makes you want to run out and buy every book, and binge-watch the previous films.

Our heroine Katniss Everdeen, played by Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence, dominates the big screen once again, and keeps us on the edge of our seats as she continues to defend her world from the Capital.

The film opened with the face of Philip Seymour Hoffman, an unforgettable actor who passed away in February of 2014. His image brought an obvious hush over the audience, and a few chuckles when he mentioned how he hated the way Katniss could be such a rogue.

Following, the beginning consisted mainly of dull dialogue and action- less scenes while the actors wandered around a barren landscape. It took a while for the characters to stumble on any conversation worthnoting, which is particularly funny, as one may have expected the movie to open with a bang of action since the book was split  into two parts.

But once Katniss decides that her mission is to kill President Snow in order to revenge her friend and lover, Peeta, the film starts to get that same fiery overtone many have come to expect from the series. After all, Katniss is the girl on fire.

One of the more important subplots, which in regards to the movie seemed somewhat strange, but makes a lot of sense in relation to the series, is the ever winding love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale. At one point, Gale and Peeta have a conversation about who has kissed Katniss the most, while a laughable conversation, it is an endearing moment for the two characters and their relationship.

Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that there is a rather large and spectacular confrontation which is sure to leave the watcher with a sense of fulfillment.  The final confrontation between Snow and Katniss not only leaves them both physically and mentally shaken, but also ends with them each possessing a better understanding, not just of each other, but of their unified world, and where they each belong.

Overall, it may be hard for fans to say goodbye to this series, especially after a movie like this which was both plot-driven and action packed. Although the movies may be finished, the themes in which this franchise has brought to us, which may also be the reason why we love it so much will always be in our hearts.

“The Hunger Games” is a story in which the overall message is one of understanding what is wrong with our own world. From the ways in which war is devastating to people everywhere, to how reality television influences us as viewers, the franchise has never been afraid to directly confront us with those truths.

Not to mention the spectacular actors and actresses, as well as the beautiful scenery and plethora of sensational characters wearing unique costumes done by the franchises’ amazing costume duo, who prefer to be known as simply Kurt and Bart, the movie really does what it sets out to do, which is go out with a bang. According to Variety magazine online, in the opening weekend the movie made about $101 million.