The final instalment of dystopian The Hunger Games, this picks up where Mockingjay Part 1 left off, with the Districts joining forces against the Capitol, and District 13 leader Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) preparing for one final assault while Katniss plots her revenge on President Snow (Donald Sutherland). She still has loyal pal Gale (Hemsworth) by her side, and the added worry of the brainwashed Peeta (Hutcherson) who comes along for the ride.
Packed with battles, betrayals, some icky mutant creatures (see note below) in a scene worthy of Alien, and impressive CGI scenes as Katniss & co make their way through the destroyed and booby-trapped Capitol, this has much more going on than the previous instalment, and benefits greatly from it.
While the potential love Peeta/Katniss/Gale love triangle is never fully developed, all three of the leads are given a chance to shine, with Lawrence stunning as the young woman troubled by doubt, fear and guilt finding her way through this bleak landscape. The real surprise, however, is Hutcherson. He may have never really convinced in the earlier instalments to be worthy of Katniss’s devotion, but here he comes into his own, giving a quiet but mesmerising performance that was worth the wait.
With strong supporting performances from Moore, Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman (in his final role), and Woody Harrelson to name a few, this is a strong, tautly directed and often gripping conclusion to the Hunger Games story.
Is The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
This is a 12A certificate and is aimed at older children and adults. As with the previous Hunger Games movies, there is quite a lot of violence and some characters are killed.
Parents should note that there is one scene, set in underground tunnels, that is scary as Katniss and her friends are set upon by mutant creatures. The creatures jump out at them, drag them down in an extended scene that may disturb sensitive viewers and those under the age of 11.
If you like this, why not try: The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Divergent, The Maze Runner,