After a slow start, some late suspense and action save this film from ending the “Hunger Games” franchise on a boring and drab note. I have never read any of the “Hunger Games” novels and have only seen each of the previous films once, so this review will reflect that. The film starts off a bit fine, but takes its time to get to the climax. There’s an odd story structure to the “Hunger Games” films, and they never follow the expected beats. Also, since the focus so heavily on Katniss, we tend to miss out on many of the more interesting visuals. For example, hovercrafts bombarding their targets or the big battle between the rebel army and Panem’s Peacekeepers are barely shown. While this does make this a more personal story, and reflects a somewhat realistic viewpoint of the characters involved in the war, it does so at the expensive of some potentially cool sci-fi visuals. We’re also promised multiple opportunities at some Hunger Games inspired carnage. However, most never really pan out. They do eventually set up the film’s most suspenseful, and action-packed, moment. When the climax finally arrives, it’s just not the big payoff that these four films should’ve led up to. Jennifer Lawrence has many strong moments throughout the film. Unfortunately, much of the cast has reduced roles and we lose some on the better character interactions that were established in the first films. Most sorely missed is the humor brought by Woody Harrelson’s Haymich, which would’ve lightened up a pretty dark film.
**1/2 out of *****