‘The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1’ Movie Review: Best And Worst Moments Of The Film [WATCH VIDEO]

"The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" which is distributed by Lionsgate was shown in Australian, UK and New Zealand theatres on Nov. 20, 2014. It was shown in U.S. and Canadian theatres on Nov. 21, 2014. It stars Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark), Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne), Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket), Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Plutarch Heavensbee), Julianne Moore (President Alma Coin), Natalie Dormer (Cressida), Donald Sutherland (President Coriolanus Snow), Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair) and Jena Malone (Johanna Mason). Here is "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" movie review including the best and worst moments of the film.

"The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" was directed by Francis Lawrence. It was written by Danny Strong and Peter Craig. The film was produced by Jon Kilik and Nina Jacobson. Its running time is 123 minutes. It is a book-to-film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' 2010 novel "Mockingjay." Its main plot is about the aftermath of the third Quarter Quell in "Catching Fire." Katniss Everdeen, along with fellow Victors Finnick Odair and Beetee Latier (Jeffrey Wright) are taken to District 13 to recuperate. Katniss also reunited with her mother and her sister Prim.

While in District 13, she met President Alma Coin, who is the leader of the rebels. Coin asked Katniss to become the "Mockingjay," which they wanted to use as the rebellion's symbol. At first, Katniss didn't want to. But, she later agreed to do it, with the condition that Peeta Mellark, Johanna Mason and Annie Cresta (Stef Dawson) will be rescued from the Capitol. Towards the end of the film, Peeta, Johanna and Annie were rescued and brought to District 13. Unfortunately, Peeta attacked Katniss when he saw her. He was brainwashed into killing Katniss. Thankfully, he wasn't successful and Katniss survived the attack.

The film is not as action packed as "The Hunger Games" (2012) and "Catching Fire" (2013). We see a more mature, yet emotional Katniss here who is thrust reluctantly into the rebellion against the Capitol. She is no longer the girl whose main concern is to survive and win in "The Hunger Games." She still wants to protect her family and loved ones, including Gale and Peeta. But now, she must think of other people who are looking to her for some semblance of hope in the imminent war against the Capitol.

While it lacked the action sequences that were part of the games, the film made up for it by including some scenes with jet planes bombing districts and those featuring Katniss and Gale fighting side-by-side. However, because it is just Part 1 of "Mockingjay," there are still more scenes, action and drama that have yet to unfold. And, viewers will have to wait until Nov. 20, 2015 to see it. Below is a list of the best and worst moments of "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1."

Best Moments:

When...

1. Katniss finally agreed to join the rebellion and be the "Mockingjay."

2. Katniss went back to look for Prim and her cat even when people were being evacuated out of the District 13 rooms.

3. Katniss sang "The Hanging Tree."

4. Katniss was able to take down one of the jets by using her bow and arrow.

5. Peeta warned Katniss and the rest of District 13 that they will be bombed while being on camera at the Capitol.

5. Peeta, Johanna and Annie were rescued by Gale and the other members of the elite rescue team from District 13.

Worst Moments:

When...

1. District 8 was bombed and the hospital filled with people got destroyed.

2. Gale was almost killed at the Capitol.

3. Peeta attacked and almost killed Katniss after he was rescued by Gale and company.

Box Office Information:

According to Box Office Mojo, the budget for "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" was $125 million. As of Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" has already earned $297,307,805 worldwide (Domestic: $143,007,805 + Foreign: $154,300,000).

IMDb Ratings:

The Internet Movie Database, or IMDb rating for "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" is 7.3/10 from 45,257 users as of this writing. It garnered a Metascore of 64/100 from 44 critics including Alonso Duralde of TheWrap who gave the film a score 83 and Kevin Harley of Total Film who gave the film a score of 80.

Rotten Tomatoes Ratings:

According to the Tomatometer, "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" deserves a 66% score. It scored a 6.3/10 average rating, with 139 considering it fresh and 71 considering it rotten out of 210 reviews. It also got a 78% score from the audience as of this writing.

Critics' Reviews:

"Suffice it to say that while Mockingjay, Part 1 might not be as consistently thrilling as "Catching Fire" - the second movie always has the luxury of being all PB&J and no crust - it's the movie equivalent of a page-turner, consistently suspenseful and filled with surprises and illuminating character moments," Alonso Duralde wrote in TheWrap.

Meanwhile, Cath Clarke of Time Out London thinks that "Mockingjay Part 1" is much darker and deeper even with less action.

Audience Reviews:

"This was a pretty entertaining film with one major flaw, splitting this into two movies. In this film (and I assume the next one) they had just enough content to make a very dramatic, action packed, on the edge of your seat movie, but instead they had decided to split it into two, 2+ hr. films and stretch the content out way too much," Jon Lantz wrote in a review posted on the Rotten Tomatoes website.

On the other hand, Mark Hobin thinks that "Catching Fire" is far superior than "Mockingjay." He thinks it lacks a bit of excitement. Hobin gave "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" 3 stars.

This movie review of "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" provides insights and an overview of the said film, including its best and worst moments, box office records, audience and critics' reviews and ratings from IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. For more movie reviews and news about entertainment, technology, science, economics, sports, business, finance, politics and health, keep reading International Business Times.

Watch "The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1" Video Below:

CREDIT: YouTube/The Hunger Games

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