Page to Screen is a new original feature I’m experimenting with where I talk about film adaptations of YA books.
This isn’t a review as such, more just my thoughts on the film.
I loved this installment of the film series, and I can understand why they split the book in two and ended it where they did. You really get a sense of Katniss’ helplessness. She was just trying to survive and all these people are using her for a rebellion she’s not prepared for. She’s really very brave to step up and be their Mockingjay. You really get the sense that she just wants to save Peeta but she’s being forced to jump through certain hoops to be able to do it.
There was one point in the film where I was afraid the writers would have changed something, so I was totally freaking out and crying because I thought someone was going to die. You can’t trust writers these days: the My Sister’s Keeper film has a completely different ending from the book. I really thought they were going to screw us over and kill this character, and I was so relieved when they didn’t.
It’s been a while since I’ve read the book but it felt like a faithful adaptation to me. Like in the first instalment, we got to see some behind-the-scenes stuff, conversations that Katniss wouldn’t be aware of, that helped explain to the audience what was at stake. That being said, my husband has read the first book but not Mockingjay, and he kept saying, “I really need to read the book now.” I’m not sure if it’s because he didn’t understand what was going on or if he enjoyed it so much he wanted to read about it.
I think Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of Katniss was amazing. She shows such emotion on her face and even though she’s naturally very beautiful she’s not afraid to be not-quite-so-pretty, and she pulls off Katniss’s personality perfectly. The small moments between her and Prim were cute to watch.
I also have underestimated Josh Hutcherson in the past. His portrayal of Peeta was heart-wrenching and he handled his emotions very well. I wondered if he knew what he was getting into when he was first cast as Peeta, as his role in the first film was kind of wooden, but he’s definitely proven himself to me. Other shout outs of course have to be to the actors portraying Gale, Finnick, and Prim, the old familiar face of Plutarch and new face President Coin.
Have you seen Mockingjay Part 1, or do you plan to?
What did you think of it?
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About Nemo
A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.
Erin @ ITIO Book Reviews
I completely agree! I felt like this movie lagged a bit more than I would have liked, but I still enjoyed it. 🙂
Plus, Finnick and Annie were so adorable at the end… I couldn’t handle it.
Nemo
Oh, I agree, Finnick and Annie were SO adorable!
Clodagh
I thought Mockingjay part 1 was fantastic. I’d not a huge fan of the book being split into two movies, but it does mean they get to go into depth with what is happening in the districts. Jennifer Lawrence does an amazing job at being Katniss. It’s been a few years since I read the book too, so I couldn’t really remember much at all, but as far as I know the film is true to the book, although we get the extra points of view that we don’t in the book, so it was good that we got to see what else was happening. I also like that Effie is still important and she gets her own character development.
Nemo
Yes, a good point about Effie! I thought her part was much smaller in the book – I barely remember her at all, but she was great in the film.
Renee Bookboyfriends
I agree with all these things! I saw it and was like, wow. Katniss is REALLY deep in this one! There was so much character development and I agree with what you say about Josh Hutcherson! YAY JOSH! YOU’RE GETTING BETTER! And oh wow, let’s just talk about The Hanging Tree…. such a haunting and beautiful song with so much building up of emotion it was wonderful!
Glad that you enjoyed it!
Nemo
The Hanging Tree was really powerful – I loved how it went from her voice to the chant to the chorale – so haunting!