‘Mockingjay’ weakest of ‘Games’

Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence go over the damage to District 8 during a secret visit. (Photo courtesy of Lionsgate)

Written by Roger Thomas

Before the original “Hunger Games” movie arrived in theaters, I had read the first novel upon which the film was based.

I liked the book overall but I have never been a big fan of stories written in the first person point of view. I actually thought the first film benefitted greatly by having scenes where Katniss was not present. What President Snow and others were thinking was very revealing to the overall story.

Reviews of the Past: “The Hunger Games”

When the second film arrived, I had not read the next novel, but I went into the theater a little underwhelmed by the fact Katniss and Peeta were returning to the arena of the games. Could the author not come up with something more creative than a replay of the first story? It turned out that I was pleasantly surprised. The second film is almost as good as the first, and in some ways even surpasses it.

Reviews of the Past: “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”

And now we have the third, “Mockingjay.” This one is based on the first half of the third novel, with the other half arriving in the summer of 2015.

My immediate reaction to the third film can be summed up in two sentences. First, this film drops you right into the story with not one moment of reflection of what has already passed. I would not recommend this film to anyone who has not seen the first two. Personally, I wish I had gone back and watched the others one more time before going to see this one.

My second immediate reaction is that the film takes some time, a full 40 minutes, before there is anything on the screen that is actually moving and emotional. There is a lot of talk, which can be slightly confusing; there is a journey to District 12 that is very uneventful and then more discussions. Again, I found none of this compelling.

There is a reunion of most of the characters from the previous films. Gale (Liam Hemsworth) finally gets to do something. Peeta is seen mostly in a broadcast from the Capital. President Snow is as smarmy as ever. Haymitch is now sober (a point the other characters keep repeating.)

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Julianne Moore is the president of the rebels in District 13, a brilliant actress who I hope has a juicier role in the next film. Mahershala Ali’s new character of Boggs is an interesting addition.

Overall, the characters are all here to affect the life of Katniss. If you enjoyed them before, you should expect much of the same.

Then finally, as the second third of the movie begins, there is a very powerful scene in a refugee hospital. Some of this has been playing in the trailer for months, but it still works remarkably well. All that happens in that outing lifts the film to a height it has not achieved prior to these moments. However, I did find myself wondering why President Snow had security cameras in this district but not in District 12, the home of Katniss.

Following the scene at the hospital and the events that came next, the film has some good moments and others that slow things down considerably. The overall film is a mixed bag of highs and lows, with the low points more numerous, but the high points – like the climax – almost rescue the film completely.

This is the weakest of the three “Hunger Games” films, but there is still enough to recommend it slightly. Besides, one probably needs to see the film to understand the finale, and that alone is reason enough to view this one.

I certainly hope that “Mockingjay Part 2” is closer to the first two films than this recent chapter. And ultimately may the series be greater as a whole than this third chapter is alone.

From ComingSoon.net

STUDIO: Lionsgate

DIRECTOR: Francis Lawrence

MPAA RATING: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material)

SCREENWRITERS: Danny Strong, Peter Craig

STARRING: Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Jeffrey Wright, Josh Hutcherson, Jena Malone, Julianne Moore,Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman,Jennifer Lawrence, Sam Claflin, Liam Hemsworth

GENRE: Drama, Action, Sci-Fi

Reviews of the Past: ‘Now You See Me’

The next set of reviews we’ll be publishing are some of the ones Roger Thomas has done exclusively for The Stanly News & Press. Roger has written movie reviews for The Stanly News & Press and other outlets for years, long before starting this blog. So we decided it would be good to give readers a sample of his previous work, in addition to posts of reviews of current films. Other reviews will run daily.

From left to right: Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg

There have been several films about magicians in recent years. The year 2006 gave us three movies about men who perform magic. First, there was Woody Allen’s “Scoop,” one of his weaker efforts. There was also “The Illusionist;” this one had a lot going for it, but was ultimately disappointing. The third from 2006 is the best film about magicians that I have ever seen, but I will save that title until the end.

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More recently, in 2010, there was the French animated feature “L’illusioniste;” beautiful animation but not as special or entertaining as 2003’s “The Triplets of Belleville” (both films were directed by Sylvain Chomet). In 2013, we have already had three films about magicians. The first was “Oz the Great and Powerful.” “Oz,” of course, is a carnival showman with tricks up his sleeve, who finds his way to a truly magical land. This year has also offered “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” which I did not see so I can offer no opinion about it.

Then in less than six months into the year, we have a third film about people doing magic. “Now You See Me” is a lot of things but perhaps the best thing is quite simple; this movie is fun. I enjoyed the tricks. I enjoyed finding out how they pulled off the tricks. I enjoyed the performances of all the leads, and there are many leading roles in this film.

Technically, “Now You See Me” has many strengths. The film looks good, has great sets and exciting visuals. The cast members are appealing and talented with three Oscar nominated actors and two Oscar winners. The jokes are funny. Like so many summer films, this motion picture attempts to wow the audience, and it succeeds to a certain extent. It is a well-made, good film.

However, it is not a great film. There are several scenarios that are just not plausible. It is summer and maybe we are not intended to think too much about what we are watching on the big screen. Wait till autumn for serious films before one dissects the plot. Perhaps that should be the rule. Except when a film is about revealing how the implausible becomes plausible, the explanations better be perfect. I found myself figuratively scratching my head, over and over again.

Plus there is this ending that has multiple facets to it. Some of them work very well. Others, not so much. I do not want to give away anything about the resolution to the plot but overall it is a mixture of predictable, unbelievable and appropriate, not necessarily in even measure.

So do I recommend “Now You See Me.” If you are looking for engaging fun, absolutely. The cast alone and the visuals make it worth it. Just avoid doing what I did. Do not think about the film too much, and you will have a great evening.

But if, perchance, you want a really thought-provoking film about magicians, once again, let’s look back to 2006. Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige” is the best film about men who do magic that I have ever seen. (Oddly enough Michael Caine co-stars in both “Prestige” and “Now You See Me.)” “The Prestige” is set in a bygone era. And there is some fantasy in this film as well as a great deal of drama. But in the end, like “Now You See Me,” “Prestige” is a fun film, but for different reasons than “Now You See Me.” “Prestige” is fun because in the end, the amazing end, everything falls perfectly in place.

After all, summer or any other season, the greatest fun one can have at the cinema is the discovery of a gem of a film; a film one wants to see over and over again. “The Prestige” is that kind of film for me.

Box Office results

Domestic gross: $117,723,989

Foreign gross: $234,000,000

Production budget: $75 million

Opening weekend: $29,350,389

NOTE: Information from Boxofficemojo.com