The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Producers always knew that Suzanne Collins' award-winning trilogy, "The Hunger Games," was a three-book, but four-movie, series. The question was how best to split "Mockingjay" in two. The movie adaptation of the second book, "Catching Fire," was such a commercial and critical success that to bifurcate the final book seemed fraught with challenges. One of audiences favorite characters, Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) was all but absent in the final book and there was a new character, President Alma Coin, that was significant, but not developed enough to offer a big star.

"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" brings in the Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore, who astounded audience this past year with her role in "Still Alice," to not only play President Coin but also help develop and fill out the role. Audiences are pleased to know that Elizabeth Banks' Effie isn't booted from District 13.

The main criticism of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" is that it feels like what it is: Half a movie, incomplete and leaving off in the middle. Nevertheless, filmmakers must have done something right, as it was the highest grossing domestic release of the year and has already grossed over $700 million worldwide, bringing the global box office figures for the franchise to well over $2.2 billion.

In the third installment, a society that has submitted to an oppressive monarchy for 75 years gets fed up. The people no longer wish to play the manipulative blood sport known as "The Hunger Games." (Here they are forced to kill each other in a televised arena for the amusement of their overlords.)

One of the great gladiators of this carnal showground, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), has decided to express her disapproval for the games and the government by becoming the symbol of the rebellion, known as the Mockingjay. But her power over the people ignites the wrath of President Snow (Donald Sutherland); so he fights back with a weapon more powerful than any in his arsenal. Snow molds Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), one of the people Katniss cares about most, into a symbol of the status quo, an outspoken proponent of compliance to the powers that be.

Director Francis Lawrence once again mans the helm for this lavish production that not only uses locations throughout the United States and Europe, but also builds a massive underground world, the winding catacombs of District 13.

Other cast members who reprise their roles from the previous films of the series are Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone and Stanley Tucci.

With almost three hours of bonus features, it pays to own "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part - 1" on Blu-ray. There's an audio commentary with the director and producer Nina Jacobson; deleted scenes; Lorde's music video, "Yellow Flicker Beat," as well as the pop star talking about curating the soundtrack. But the truly extravagant feature of this disc is a 2 hour and 15 minute long documentary "The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of 'Mockingjay - Part 1," as well as a touching tribute to the great actor Philip Seymour Hoffman from his peers in the cast.

"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1"
Blu-ray + DVD
Rated PG-13 / 123 minutes
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