The image chosen for the new Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 1 poster depicts a bird – probably the titular jay – spreading its wings, overlapping the ring that seems to be a recurring motif on the films’ promotional material. In all likelihood this signifies how the upcoming films (of course Part 1 will have a Part 2) will break from the usually formula established in the first two – i.e. there will be no actual “Hunger Games” taking place, just a lot of attractive young people (and Woody Harrelson) fighting against the dystopic society ruled by Donald Sutherland.
A heavy premise for a film based on novels geared towards young adults (i.e. teenagers) but then again, The Hunger Games has been the rare young adult series that’s managed to garner praise from the adolescents who read the books in between Government classes and Algebra 101, the professional critics who would normally deride such efforts, and the average film buffs. All three groups figure to flock to the theaters en masse, when Part 1 is released, a feat considering other contemporary teen-lit adaptations have not been so warmly received (the Twilight film series has an average of about 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the recent Moratl Instruments: City of Bones is currently at 12% on the same site; Catching Fire, meanwhile, stands at 90%). The most recently released entry in the Hunger Games saga did manage to score some awards recognition, and even made one of our writer’s Top Ten Films of 2013 list.
Critics, teens, and whoever else can check out Mockingjay – Part 1 on November 21, 2014, and continue to prove that releasing the final part of a film series/novel adaptation in two parts is a smart financial decision (see: the box office gross of the last Harry Potter and Twilight movies).
Leave a Comment