# Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 21, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287 "2014-11-21T19:56:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/1 "2014-11-21T19:56:02Z")
Opens today. I plan on seeing it tomorrow and really want to be Donald Sutherland when I grow up (not so much the politics and oppressive tyranny as the cool white beard and understated-flamboyant wardrobe) but want to know what others think, so I’m giving regular school grades. And of course discuss it at will. Jokes about Josh Hutcherson’s height completely allowed so long as you acknowledge you’d still totally do him. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/2 "2014-11-21T20:02:19Z")
I saw a review of it today that was titled "It would have helped if the director had yelled “Action!” and gave it a C+. It’s only one review, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/3 "2014-11-22T01:18:51Z")
I gave it an A-, but then, I actually _saw it_ (yesterday at the Marathon), so it probably doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/4 "2014-11-22T01:34:12Z")
No, ideally it’s for people who have seen it. I won’t be out until I see it tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/5 "2014-11-22T01:44:45Z")
That wasn’t directed at you **Sampiro**. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/6 "2014-11-22T01:47:39Z")
The book gets a D- and I hated it. The clunky writing and godawful worldbuilding was much more obvious once the world opened up to reveal anything outside of District 12, the Tributes’ view if the Capitol, and the Games Arena. The movie (like the two before it) does much to plaster over the gaps and inconsistencies and implausibilities, and the actors equally do much to enliven the characters they are given. Not an A, or even an A-, but that’s more the difficulty of it being part 1 of a 2-Part series. I enjoyed it, thought it did the ideas and message of the book justice, and might actually watch the next one, which I wasn’t expecting at all, going into this one. A solid B+ ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/7 "2014-11-22T04:18:50Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > The book gets a D- and I hated it. The clunky writing and godawful worldbuilding was much more obvious once the world opened up to reveal anything outside of District 12, the Tributes’ view if the Capitol, and the Games Arena. > > The movie (like the two before it) does much to plaster over the gaps and inconsistencies and implausibilities, and the actors equally do much to enliven the characters they are given. When the last movie came out, I think I mentioned that Jennifer Lawrence was a far better actor than Suzanne Collins was a writer. I have yet to see it, but it sounds like the screenwriters are also better writers than Suzanne Collins. Which is fine - I’ve enjoyed the movies much more than the books, where whole districts were kept in abject poverty for no more apparent reason than to stir up revolutionary fervor. It made about as much sense as Quidditch. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/8 "2014-11-22T04:47:08Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > When the last movie came out, I think I mentioned that Jennifer Lawrence was a far better actor than Suzanne Collins was a writer. I have yet to see it, but it sounds like the screenwriters are also better writers than Suzanne Collins. Which is fine - I’ve enjoyed the movies much more than the books, where whole districts were kept in abject poverty for no more apparent reason than to stir up revolutionary fervor. It made about as much sense as Quidditch. Haven’t seen Mockingjay yet, but I totally agree with you. I only read the first book and was bored out of my mind. (Hello, you’re telling me that teenagers are being forced to fight to the death and you can’t even make me care.) Love the movies. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/9 "2014-11-22T05:02:47Z")
I liked the movies better than the books also. The books were restrained by being told from Katniss’ point of view only when you really wanted to see and know more of the world and it’s other characters interacting with eachother. I thought the first half of Mocking Jay (book) dragged since you were stuck with Katniss while more interesting things were going on elsewhere. Hopefully the movie is better than the book. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/10 "2014-11-22T17:43:36Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I gave it an A-, but then, I actually _saw it_ (yesterday at the Marathon), so it probably doesn’t count. Just trying to provide some information, so no need for the sarcasm. I figured that “discuss it at will” covered all bases. I saw the first movie after it hit cable and found it to be fairly entertaining, but I’m not exactly a fan of the genre, so likely won’t see this film. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/11 "2014-11-22T19:50:29Z")
Never read the books. Saw the first movie. Liked it well enough, in an “okay, that was different” sort of way. Saw the second movie. Didn’t care for it at all. Fell asleep midway through. I mean I literally fell asleep. Wife was pissed at me, but bored as well. I don’t remember the last time a movie had such an effect on me. I won’t be seeing the this one, nor the followup. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/12 "2014-11-22T20:41:04Z")
I went to see another movie that was sold out, so switched to The Hunger Games which I’d never even heard of, let alone read, and loved it. I read the books and liked the first two- not on my short list, but readable, and I agree that the movies are better (save of course that the books give you some extra backstory). I didn’t like the third as I felt it was too rushed, and later read that Suzanne Collins did too- she wanted a much longer book, but was contractually obligated for one of a particular length- so I was actually glad they’re splitting it into two as this one can stand some more explication and action. Speaking of Donald Sutherland, I was surprised to learn he actually approached them for the role of Snow rather than the other way around; he’s looking to wrap up his career now and thought it’d be a good one for his last blockbuster series, plus he liked the books because they’re about young people who aren’t apathetic. [Interview](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxBbh3gt8w)where he mentions some of this. What would be really nice, and I think true to the spirit of the books and a powerful indictment against governmental use of torture, would be a scene where Sutherland spanks Hutcherson. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/13 "2014-11-23T16:40:19Z")
I saw it last night and enjoyed it. The fact that it was split into two parts didn’t bother me as it gave the film a comfortable pace, letting the political situation grow organically. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/14 "2014-11-23T21:24:57Z")
I saw it last night and enjoyed it. I really wish that the sequel was going to be released in summer rather than next holiday season because it’s a far more abrupt ending than either of the previous two films, but… it was good. And Hemsworths are really pretty. I gave it a B. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s scenes were a bit spooky, especially since you could tell he wasn’t healthy. I was surprised by how little Haymitch, Peeta, and the other victors were in this one. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/15 "2014-11-23T22:03:43Z")
Just back from seeing the film - gave it a B. Have read all 3 books & this was my least favorite of the novels. I do think the screenwriters are doing a good job with expanding the viewpoint beyond Katniss - a near-necessity for this installment, as so much of it was just her mental/emotional recovery IIRC. They split just about where I figured they would - must be frustrating for those unfamiliar with the books! > [@Sampiro](#): > > Philip Seymour Hoffman’s scenes were a bit spooky, especially since you could tell he wasn’t healthy. Yes - early in the film, he says something like “Anyone can be replaced”. It was directed at Katniss, but eerie in retrospect. Am curious to see how they phase Hoffman’s character out in Part II. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/16 "2014-11-23T22:28:40Z")
> [@Politzania](#): > > Yes - early in the film, he says something like “Anyone can be replaced”. It was directed at Katniss, but eerie in retrospect. Am curious to see how they phase Hoffman’s character out in Part II. By the time he died, they apparently had already filmed the vast majority of his scenes. IIRC there were only two that had yet to be filmed that they need to write around. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/17 "2014-11-23T23:20:35Z")
I enjoyed it a fair bit, probably a B or B+. I thought the propaganda stuff was really well done, and quite interesting. Not a topic that a teen-aimed blockbuster series would usually spend a lot of time on. Natalie Dormer (Margaery from Game of Thrones) is always welcome, even with a weird tattoo on a shaved head. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/18 "2014-11-23T23:56:25Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I saw a review of it today that was titled "It would have helped if the director had yelled “Action!” and gave it a C+. It’s only one review, of course. > [@Equipoise](#): > > I gave it an A-, but then, I actually _saw it_ (yesterday at the Marathon), so it probably doesn’t count. I read **Chefguy’s** comment as the _reviewer_ gave it a C+, not him. Maybe I’m wrong, but no one has chosen C yet. Unless your criticism was for something else? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/19 "2014-11-24T00:06:39Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I won’t be out until I see it tomorrow. Huh, I thought that ship had sailed some time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287/20 "2014-11-24T01:26:42Z")
On last week’s SNL Jennifer Lawrence made fun of her own singing voice, but if that really was her [singing in the movie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCzX_6kOgVY) she has a lovely voice. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1/705287.md?page=2)