The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1

It is becoming commonplace in the 'teen-novel turned movie adaption'. Take the most critical and plot forming book and make multiple movies out of it in order to reap the most benefit. Well, if this movie is any indication of the trend, its going nowhere, fast. Mockingjay 1 is merely a shell of its former glory. The first two movies had context and continuity that kept the viewers interested. This formula worked because there was plenty of story and character development that you were engrossed in it in order to learn. However, Mockingjay one is like getting a lecture by your Doctor before having surgery. Mockingjay 1 has a 2 hour and 15 minute run time. A solid 75% of that is dialogue filler, building up for an obvious exciting finish in Mockingjay 2. So much dialogue, in fact, that you begin to wonder why did they not just make this one movie? One movie would have sufficed to develop the conclusion and end on a strong note. I feel that Mockingjay 1 bored enough of us that we will have no choice but to see Mockingjay 2 strictly for redemption. The final 30-45 minutes of this movie were certainly gripping and exciting. It definitely sets a stage for a strong finish, however, not even the talented acting of Jennifer Lawrence, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julianne Moore can save this movie from the hum-drum pace this movie so begrudgingly took. So, Is It Worth? No. I say save the $8 or whatever your theater so chooses to charge and see something else. This movie feels awfully less of an experience and more of a commitment to stay for the ending. The only bright side to Mockingjay is that 2 will certainly be way better.