Hey guys! Happy New Year! I hope your 2015 is full of as much awesomeness as possible. I thought I could start off 2015 with some new posts for this blog even though I've been practically neglecting it. To be honest I don't know for sure whether I'm going to continue with this blog; if I'm going to just pop in and out of it every so often or just abandon it altogether. What I do know is I'm very grateful for the response to some of my posts when I was committed to this blog and it really has boosted my confidence to an extent. So thank you very much for that.
Again, wherever I go with this blog still isn't clear to me and I hope for those of you who have found some kind of enjoyment from reading my stuff that I haven't really disappointed you or anything. If I have then I apologies.
All I can say now is lets hope for the best and if possible, I really hope I can provide some kind of commitment to this blog. Despite what some of you will understandably think, this blog really does mean something to me, being first ever blog-type thing and all. Anyway, to start off the new year I thought I would let you have a read at my half-decent review of said film in the title (I'm too lazy to type it again) that my awesome friends and I went to see in early December. If you haven't seen the film then read at your own expense as it does contain some mild spoilers. Or maybe you should just GO SEE THE MOVIE BECAUSE IT WAS SO GOOD! Enjoy!
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1
The Hunger Games film series is based on the book series of the same name written by Suzanne Collins. Having grossed over $2 billion, it is the 17th highest grossing film franchise of all time. The film series has received critical success with praise being aimed at the film’s themes and messages. Praise has also been received for Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of the main protagonist Katniss Everdeen.
The first film in the series entitled “The Hunger Games” (2012) set records for the opening day of the film’s release and also for the biggest opening weekend for a non-sequel film. The sequel “Catching Fire” was released in 2013 and set records for the biggest opening weekend for the month of November. The latest instalment to the series, "Mockingjay-Part 1" upon release was the largest opening day of 2014. In total the first two instalments have received 54 awards and 92 nominations.
In Mockingjay- Part 1, the 75th annual Hunger Games has been concluded for some time and the revolution has begun. In District 13, the rebels work to take down the Capitol and President Snows dictatorship. Katniss is a reluctant representative of a revolution that she did not want to take place. Her relationships are put to the test as she takes on her role as the Mockingjay.
The CGI’s and special effects were utilized very well throughout the duration of the film in realizing the setting and bringing it to life. Explosions are well timed and debris props are effectively used in creating a dramatic effect through the film. Adding to our understanding to the characters feeling of dread in the midst of a revolution.
In comparison to the previous installments, Mockingjay- Part 1 instantly contrasts within the plot as unlike beforehand, a revolution is fully in motion. However despite the obvious contrasts between the plots of the films, there is one striking similarity. Although the Games are over, there still exists this necessity to form certain appearances to the districts in order to gain support. Though the aims are technically different, they do parallels with each other. Katniss was trying to survive the Hunger Games beforehand, now everyone is trying to survive the revolution. Katniss doesn't just take the responsibility to try and save Peeta but now the whole of Panem. Also another very significant contrast is the fact that before, both Katniss and Peeta were being used to represent the same side in the Hunger Games, now they each represent the opposing sides of the revolution. Also the new perception that Katniss representing the rebels as the Mockingjay and Peter representing the Capitol as both being weapons, reinforces the sudden change of significance in their role and a dramatic change from the Games to the revolution.
Music without any doubt adds the revolutionary feel to the film. Bringing great scale to the events taking place but despite such dominating, arresting music they still manage to instantly change the feel of the film with more subtler, emotional music. Katniss goes hunting in the woods like she used to before the Games which is accompanied with much sweeter music and would trick anyone late for the film that this was an entirely different movie. Even Jennifer Lawrence's performance of the song "The Hanging Tree" produced by James Newton Howard is surprisingly to a good standard and despite being very repetitive, does add something to the film. The later half of the song, when she is accompanied by backing singers and we see the work of the rebels on screen, it feels like a song of the people and almost builds up the idea that she is the voice of the people fighting against the Capitol.
Furthermore, in terms of character development what the film does more often than not isn't give us a whole new perspective as such or develop what we know about the characters but strengthens what traits we now them by. Those of us who have read the previous books or watched the films will know of Katniss's determination to protect Peta and her family. When she makes her demands that must be met for her to take on the role of the Mockingjay, one of the few she makes is that Peta be saved from the Capitol. Despite the current situation and even though he seems like a traitor to some at points in the film, her determination to save him does not change. Katniss undeniably cares for her family, more so her sister than her mother. When everyone is being evacuated to the bunker, Katniss risks her life and goes back to save her sister and even when she confronts the main antagonist President Snow, she states that all she really cares about is Peta and her sister. To no surprise Katniss receives the most attention as is emphasised when she visits the tons suffering from the revolution and yet still support her. Reinforcing her inability to understand why people like her when she is so used to be anti-social like in the prior films. Minor characters such as Effie, Katniss and Peeta's escort in the Games as well as the escort of district 12, were used to luxury and fame and now we see her disapproval to having to adapt to poorer conditions. To some it may have been a surprise she was on the side of the revolution and without makeup which adds to her character and we see how much she really cares about Katniss. Prim, Katniss' sister, in her brief appearance responds to her sisters love with the same kind of commitment in previous films when she tries to give Katniss some advice. Gale, a "friend" of Katniss, develops our understanding of his feelings for her and that despite feeling unappreciated by Katniss, he still cares for her greatly. The President of District 13, where the revolution is based, is a character that is open to new ideas but quite often only when her hand is pushed and we can see how she does not enjoy decisions over her people being almost decided for her.
Subthemes are another factor in what makes Mockingjay-Part 1 as well as the Hunger Games series as a whole so effective. Despite the feeling of a revolution very much emphasized throughout the films, there is an element of war. When there is an attack on District 13 and everyone evacuates to the bunker: rumbling sounds and large vibrations in the building begin to resemble those who took cover in shelters during the First and Second World War. Even though this is set in some distant, unknown future the audience is able to relate to it to an extent. In addition when the characters mock Prims cat for their own amusement, this exemplifies how Peeta is being unfairly treated by the Capitol and is only be treated so horribly to mock Katniss.
To conclude, Mockingjay-Part 1 is perhaps the greatest achievement in the series so far but also a great one in film-making. As the movie comes to a close, the rebels have achieved their main aims before they go on a final push to take down the Capitol and President Snows dictatorship. The revolution has become much more personal for Katniss once she has witnessed the brutal treatment of Peeta and sees him in a way she never has before. Fans of The Hunger Games will have to wait for the final installment to the series in November 2015 to see if all the characters preparation were not in vain and whether any of the characters will escape unscathed, Only time will tell and may the odds be ever in their favor
Also if you weren't already aware I am obsessed with TUMBLR now and I do post a bit more regularly on that so if you want to have a look at my stuff and maybe follow me on it then great!
http://blogprofessoroswald.tumblr.com/
Geronimo!
Stephen.
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