Taking the comic book films out of the equation I'd put this up there with Pacific Rim when it comes to movie of the year for me. I thought the movie was a vast improvement over the first movie. The first things that won me over was how it showed Katniss suffering psychological effects from the events of the previous movie, she'd have panic attacks whenever she finds something that trigger her memories of the event or even have nightmares, even Peeta suffers the same effect. I like how they don't gloss over what the characters went through and go on about their day as if nothing happen.
The more I look at the movie the more I'm starting to see The Capitol as The Empire from Star Wars and President Snow is Palpatine. Some of the armor that his troops have on even resemble Storm Trooper armor. Then you have the ending, which I'll get to in a moment. But yeah I get the feeling that Donald Southerland is having a ball with his portrayal as President Snow. I also like the chemistry between him and Katniss as they both share a combination of hate and fear towards eachother.
What I also love about the movie is it's middle finger to reality tv. Cause really that movie shows how ridiculous reality tv actually is, minus the killing. So I like movies that uses that kind of take that. I also happen to notice a little nudge nudge wink wink towards shippers by the way the media and those watching seem to see Katniss and Peeta, that and celebrity power couples.
There were moments where I did get a little choked up and I like a movie where it can move you to a point that you become emotionally invested to the characters. The one character I had a gripe with was the Liam's portrayal as Gale. I had to roll my eyes at the touchy scenes involving them. Jennifer Lawrence however was trying. I thought the most powerful scenes were Katniss and Peeta's relationship with their respective mentors.
There were a few new side characters I enjoyed. For instance Phillip Seymore Hoffman's character won me over in his first appearance. I liked how, at first, it appeared that his character and President Snow was playing a game of who is the most evil. The three characters that really won me over were Finnick, Johanna, and Mags who were the previous winners of the games.
When Finnick was first introduced he came off as a jerk but I gotta admit he was a likable jerk. Then as the movie went on you start to see the character unravel. I was sitting there thinking why cant hollywood make more jerk character like Finnick? He was exactly what I wanted from a jerk character, sure around others he's obnoxious but he actually has a human side. One of them being was his relationship to Mags. Whom I also liked instantly when first introduced, she was the textbook example of a cool old lady. I liked Johanna due to her first introduction and she has a rather feisty personality, it's not one of those look at how feisty I am kind of personality as there is a reason behind it.
Coming into the second movie I knew it was gonna be a cliffhanger because thanks to Empire Strikes Back there usually is a cliffhanger in the mid portion of the trilogy. Speaking of ESB the twist and the ending actually seem to be influenced off of it. Heck most of the second movie seem to be influenced off of SW. It was a pretty good cliffhanger though.
Katniss kinda reminds me of Han Solo in that she didn't want any part of the war but would rather just survive the empire's tyranny yet something happens makes her want to join the rebel army. Speaking of Katniss the more I look at her the more I see her as a better role model than Bella Swan.
For one she doesn't spend each movie lusting after some guy and she is self efficient enough that she doesn't need to depend on some knight in shining armor to save her as she does a good enough job saving herself. Also the Hunger Games films doesn't revolve around some love triangle as there is a more deeper story.
There is one minor nitpick though. Ok Peeta had announced that him and Katniss not only were married in secret but are expecting child. Granted it was a fib but President Snow still had Katniss compete in the games. Taking it from a Evil Overlord List perspective putting a seemingly pregnant woman in a life or death contest wouldn't make ones image look good, especially one whose trying a villain with good publicity approach. The best option would at least be use means to disprove said claim and discredit the power couple.
Overall I say go see it, it's worth the money and the box office drawings.
