The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2/The Hero's Journey of Katniss Everdeen
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Donald Sutherland
Directed by Francis Lawrence
After the rebels rescued Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) from President Snow (Donald Sutherland), his Hunger Games ally Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) was overjoyed - until he tried to kill her. He had fallen under a powerful mind control from the Capitol, and now he believes Katniss is the enemy and needs to die.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Resistance, Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), is planning an attack on District 2 in order to destroy the Capitol's weapons. Katniss volunteers to lead the team, and it doesn't end as well as expected. Now depressed, Katniss pleads to Coin to let her go and kill Snow herself, but she denies Katniss's request. Katniss sneaks off in order to achieve her goal nonetheless, and joins Commander Boggs and other members of the rebels.
As they near the Capitol, the Gamemakers turn the town into a huge Hunger Games arena, with fresh booby traps and monstrous enemies that attack the group at every turn. Finally Katniss and Gale (Liam Hemsworth) make it to the gates of the Capitol, where Katniss awaits one final mission - to eliminate Snow for good.
The Synopsis:
"The Hunger Games" film series has grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. It made a household name out of Jennifer Lawrence, which also led to more meatier roles and an Oscar win. It took the concept of "Battle Royale" to a whole new level, starting out the series with kids killing kids, and somehow managed to grow even darker than that with the subsequent sequels.
"Catching Fire" elevated the series to a new high, and - in many peoples' opinions as well as my own - is the best film of the series. It returns to the Games in a way that drew you in and introduced us to a new crop of heroes that we root for.
"Mockingjay - Part 1" was a meddled mess where Katniss is turned from the butt-kicking heroine to a crying mess who only wanted Peeta back. There wasn't much action, and it felt extremely drawn out and needless.
"Mockingjay - Part 2" took a slight turn in the right direction, but gone was the magic and excitement of "Catching Fire," and instead it took us down an even darker path. Many beloved characters die, the film is shot with a sense of foreboding and despair, but at least Katniss got her groove back.
The final film ended the series in a way that was at least pleasing to the viewers, if not rather anti-climactic. Not going into details so as to not spoil anything, but I was left expecting more than what I got.
Which is odd, because I also felt I got too much.
Ever since "Harry Potter," young adult novel series that have been turned to films have split the final book into two films. This worked for "Harry Potter" because the books were more door stoppers and paperweights than actual books. They were huge, and you could easily split any of the books into two films with more than enough material. "Twilight" followed suit, and this started the degrade of the two-movies-from-one-book mantra. "Divergent" is heading that way for their final film, "Allegiant," and if any indication of how "The Hunger Games" fared, they'd be wise to change their minds.
So what went wrong? Simply, "Mockingjay" was too small to be turned into two films. It expanded on its scenes in ways that dragged, added unnecessary dimensions no one asked for, and depleted on the action. Several scenes seemed unnecessary, and you can tell the actors had to really stretch out their lines. An example of this is in Part 1 when Katniss is trying to contact President Snow by spending at least 90 seconds calling his name over, and over, and over, and over again.
Thankfully, Part 2 picked up on the action, but it still seemed to lag in a lot of places. The two films could've easily been done in one, but greedy filming companies know that they can take a beloved film franchise and split the final into two films and millions will see both, regardless of the quality.
Still, it feels like a cop out.
Regardless, the final "Hunger Games" ended with a flame, and Jennifer Lawrence delivered like never before. She started out the series as a quiet, mild-mannered girl who just wanted to protect her younger sister, and in the end, she became the face of a revolution, and a no-nonsense hero who followed her heart and didn't allow others to speak for her anymore.
With the film, the action is amazing. It's a great throwback to the original "Hunger Games" as Katniss, Peeta and Finnick relive their Hunger Games experiences in a real-life scenario (not that the Hunger Games weren't real, but here...it's real). As they progress through the Capitol, they're faced with traps, monsters, and each other. It had some real intense action sequences, and even some horror aspects as they're trudging through the sewers and come upon the Capitol mutts.
That ending though. From the first film to the last, the story tugs at your heartstrings and brings out the feels like a river. And the ending is no different, as Katniss must make a difficult decision once again, and, as always, she goes with her heart. A fantastic conclusion, even if I feel it should've been more.
The Summary:
With "Mockingjay - Part 2," we finish the journey we took with Katniss all those years ago, and, like real life, we've gone through the ups and downs with the character. This is a fitting conclusion to a great film series.
The Score: A
**BELOW IS A SPECIAL ARTICLE.
SPOILERS FOR ALL THE FILMS WILL BE HERE, SO CONTINUE READING AT YOUR OWN RISK!**
The Hero's Journey of Katniss Everdeen
When I reviewed the first "Hunger Games" movie, I discussed how Katniss followed the Hero's Journey, which was a pattern of narrative coined by American scholar Joseph Campbell. This pattern identifies the journey of the archetype known as The Hero, a person who completes great adventures for a group of people.
Here are the stages of the Hero's Journey, and how Katniss embodied them:
1. The Ordinary World
"The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable or unaware, is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma. The hero is shown against a background of environment, heredity, and personal history. Some kind of polarity in the hero's life is pulling in different directions and causing stress."
Katniss shows this in the first "Hunger Games" film as we're introduced to her. Even though she seems capable with a bow and arrow, she is also very uncomfortable and reserved, and she selflessly sacrifices herself for her sister, showing love, loyalty and commitment. The polarity shown here is in her actions at the Reaping - does she let her sister go to the Hunger Games, knowing she would probably die? Or does she take her place, knowing she very well could die herself? She chooses the second option, sympathetically introducing herself to the audience.
2. The Call to Adventure
Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of change.
In the first "Hunger Games," Katniss is seen as standoffish and a loner, which is a very bad thing when you're in the Games, since she needs to garner sponsors on the outside to give her much needed medicine, food, weapons, and other necessities within the Games. Even her mentor, Haymitch, refuses to help her at first because she is so stubborn. She needs to face the fact that she does need to change in order to survive.
3. Refusal of the Call
The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the adventure, however briefly. Alternately, another character may express the uncertainty and danger ahead.
While Katniss didn't shy away from the Games or threaten to not do it, Peeta showcased the refusal as he told Katniss that he didn't think he would make it, and no one else thought he would either. He wanted her to win over himself, and was uncertain of his own abilities. Katniss herself eventually comes into contact with the refusal of the call when she is called upon by Coin to be the Mockingjay - the face of the resistance. At first she is very reluctant, telling her that if they needed a face they should've rescued Peeta from the Quarter Quell instead of her. Throughout the "Mockingjay" films, Katniss faces this refusal several times, but ultimately she continues on her quest.
4. Meeting With the Mentor
The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the world who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey. Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage and wisdom.
Katniss ran into several seasoned travelers who helped her on her own journey. Former Hunger Games victor Haymitch taught her how to be more sociable and likable. Effie Trinket taught her how to conduct herself in order to gain popularity. Cinna taught her to find the strength within herself, as well as supply her with some amazing costumes that also served as protection.
Katniss also reached inside herself to find the courage to continue. With the death of her friend Rue, a fire was ignited within her to fight the Capitol and free Panem from its tyranny. Her love for her sister Prim and Peeta also drove the fire inside which ignited into flame against Snow.
5. Crossing the Threshold
At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.
After "Catching Fire," Katniss is taken to the mysterious District 13, which was long though destroyed. Her old home had been firebombed to the ground and was no more, and now she has to adapt to her new surroundings under the rule of the mysterious Alma Coin.
6. Tests, Allies and Enemies
The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.
In her first Hunger Games outing, Katniss really had no allies, except for Rue and Peeta. She was on her own for most of the time, fending against everyone else who wanted her dead. In her second Hunger Games, Katniss formed an allegiance with Peeta, Finnick, Mags, Beetee, Wiress and Johanna. As she's taken to District 13, she at first seems aligned with Coin, but then after her true intentions and actions are revealed, does she realize she can't trust her anymore.
7. Approach
The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.
Katniss and her team must go against President Snow and the countless armies he possesses, and has to come up with a concrete plan in order to achieve that goal.
8. The Ordeal
Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.
One of Katniss' greatest fears is losing those she lives. With her mother and Prim safely within District 13, she doesn't have to worry about them. However, Peeta is captured by the Capitol and she expresses great fear for his safety.
9. The Reward
The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.
After a successful raid by the rebels, Peeta is rescued from the Capitol and brought back to District 13. Katniss is overjoyed that her treasure is back, and she celebrates. Until Peeta, under heavy mind control by the Capitol, tries to kill her. She fears she's lost Peeta for good.
10. The Road Back
About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home. Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.
After Peeta is brought back and is shown to still be under the control of the Capitol, Katniss has a drive to complete her adventure - and kill President Snow. Not just to get Peeta back, but to end his reign of power and put an end to the problems he's created. She leaves the Special World of District 13 and comes into contact with several chase scenes that expressly signals the urgency and danger of the mission she faces.
11. The Resurrection
At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level. By the hero's action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved.
As Katniss is on the verse of entering the Capitol, a bombardment of explosions keeps her from entering. She discovers that Prim is one of the medics on scene, just as another blast occurs and kills Prim. Her whole reason for doing the Hunger Games in the first place is to protect her sister, and now her sister is dead. Katniss first blames Snow, but then learns the deadly truth - Coin was the one who orchestrated the bombings. When it comes time to publicly assassinate Snow, Katniss instead purifies herself by sacrificing Coin and killing her instead, thereby completing her journey of avenging her sister's death. All conflicts are now resolved.
12. Return With the Elixir
The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.
Having assassinated Coin, and witnessing the death of Snow, Katniss has completed her journey. She heads back to her old home - the remains of District 12 - with her treasure: Peeta. Panem is now under the lead of a stable, capable and honest President, and Katniss and Peeta can live their lives in peace and security, along with the family they create.
So Katniss Everdeen goes from a girl no one knows in a District no one cares about and leads a revolution that transforms the world around her, and also transforms her as well. Her Hero's Journey over, she can now live out the rest of her life in peace.
For more information on the Hero's Journey, check out this website:
http://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero's_journey.htm
Comments
Post a Comment