#mockingjay review

aka just me freaking out and getting emotional but ya kno

ok so ive seen part 2 two times. once with the double feature and once tonight with a bunch of obnoxious middle schoolers. yeah it was the most amazing movie i’ve ever seen and it was nearly perfect. so this is gonna be v out of order.

*** spoilers***

I honestly do not know how to feel! I reread the book recently (as in finished my reread today) and I think that was a big mistake because I was just constantly comparing to the book. Which of course hindered my viewing when they took things out. It all started with her sneaking out of District 13. I was so surprised. That’s the biggest change they’ve ever made. And from then on, I was just comparing, comparing, comparing. One more: I was expecting them to omit the burn scars and the suicide attempts, but it still really bothered me not seeing them. It’s such an integral part of the story - for Katniss’ story - that removing them just really took me out of it. I don’t know. I hope I like it - all of it - more after a second viewing!

But I thought they did Finnick’s death scene extremely well. Everything was much longer - the fight, his struggle. The fact that he was ON THE LADDER tore me up because he was so close.

Also I really liked all of Haymitch and Johanna’s scenes! And I really liked Cressida and Pollux! AND EFFIE’S GOODBYE OW MY HEART

AND AND AND GALE’S FINAL SCENE. HIM CRYING. SUCH A GREAT HANDLING OF THAT SCENE.

I thought the Capitol raid was perfectly done... until Prim’s death scene. I thought they did the scene before with the children better than the book. The build up, the emotion. I was like “okay, this is brilliant.” But then with Prim... you only saw her for half a second? And you could barely see her at that? Katniss yelled her name, we saw her for that quick second, and then it was over. I think they dropped the ball on the most important scene of the franchise. 

But the end in District 12.... ow ow ow. Katniss and Buttercup. That scene was terrible in the book but IN THE MOVIE IT WAS TEN TIMES WORSE. AHHH GOSH IT KILLED ME.

And the scenes with Peeta... like them together at the table with Annie’s letter (FINNICK AND ANNIE’S SON!!!!) and watching the rain (reminded me of the bread scene) and then the “real or not real?”. They just really felt like a couple then. I loved it.

And then... the epilogue. Peeta’s hair did not bother me that much and Bear was absolutely adorable. But everything else... hmmmmmmmm. The baby looked really CGI to me, which was was weird. So did the background behind them. And this is a stupid thing to mention, but Katniss and that outfit. No. Ultimately, I thought it felt too “happy”. It was bittersweet in the book, which I loved. Katniss had her children, which was so important, but, you know, they also played on a graveyard. Bittersweet sums up this series and ending on this note felt odd. But I like that they included the last lines, which are so significant.

Just saw Mockingjay Part 2 and I have a few comments/thoughts - will remain spoiler free (if you have read the books) for the most part but under the cut nonetheless.

Synopsis:   My name is Katniss Everdeen.

Why am I not dead? I should be dead. Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding. It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss. The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

Characters:

Katniss Everdeen: a teenager that volunteers in order to save her little sister, Prim, in the 74th Hunger Games. A year after she won, she is taken back to the Hunger Games with peeta. A revolution against the capitol ins uprising, and as she is an icon of revolution, she (and other tributes) are rescued from the games to begin the revolution. Now in this book she suffers from the loss of Peeta as she also joins with people in District 13 to revolutionize. She is the Mockingjay.

Peeta Mellark: He went from being the nice son of the district baker, to the brave winner of the 74th hunger games. He is captured by the Capitol when the 75th Hunger Games are interrupted and tortured by them. Throughout this book Peeta tries to find himself again and remember his love for Katniss as he helps her with the revolution.

Gale Hawthrone: Katniss best friend and hunting partner since she was 12 and he was 14. He supports everything shes standing for, and of course, the revolution.He suffers from Katniss relationship with Peeta but still consoles her when Peeta is not around.

Finnick Odair: Tribute from district 4 in the 75th Hunger games. He has a charming personality, and besides annoying Katniss a little, he will become her ally (and kinda friend) whether she likes it or not. He has troubles of his own -with himself and the Capitol- that will be uncovered in the books. After he gets married, Finnick helps Katniss with her plans. Tragic things will happen...I love him, you’ll love him.

Coin: She is the leader of the revolution, a District 13 surviver. She will do anything to win the revolution and take Snow place. Anything. Even go against Katniss, or harm others...

My opinion on the book: This book is different from the others beacause there is no Hunger games, there is revolution. You will struggle with me for Peeta’s sake. You will celebrate with me when people reunite, when love wins. You will cry with me when death appears. But most certainly, you will revolutionize with Katniss and find Peace.

what i liked about this book: Cool concepts that Suzanne Collins introduces, Katniss admiting her love for Peeta, the revolution itself, the prologue, Gale going away & Prime dying *(sorry, not sorry).