Katniss Everdeen is determined to win the fight against injustice.
Katniss Everdeen is determined to win the fight against injustice.
The much-anticipated fourth and final movie in the Hunger Games franchise -- based on Suzanne Collins' young adult trilogy - does not disappoint in stunning visuals and thought-provoking plot.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is determined to take revenge on President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Much of the movie is the advanceof Katniss' squadron on the Capitol, along with fellow rebels, including Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and Finnick, as well as Peeta (Josh Hutcherson).
As they journey towards Panem, they have to fight off traps and opponents, including Mutts - half man, half dog swamp creatures.
The love triangle between Katniss, Gale and Peeta is played out as Katniss makes some decisions that not only determine her future, but those of millions in war-torn Panem.
Although there are some spectacular fight scenes, the movie doesn't glorify war, but instead explores deep issues about its consequences. The fight against injustice is not a straightforward one, raising moral dilemmas for the key characters, and the motivations of leaders on both sides of the conflict are revealed as ambiguous.
The movie also touches on the role of media, and perhaps our obsession with reality shows, with the characters on both sides making propaganda videos that are hologrammed to the masses.
A cautionary tale about war, although set in a dystopian fantasy world, this movie - like the others in the series - is a tale of hope. It is not a clear cut morality tale.
There are losses that leave the audience haunted, and there is little happy closure, but ultimately the message is of hope and peace for humanity. More than just superb entertainment, it's a timely warning for our troubled times.
