There seems to be something slightly anti-climatic brewing with the “Hunger Games” franchise. While most of these films just make money hand over fist—and “Catching Fire” made gangbusters money—the enthusiasm for Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games” series seemed to wane a little bit with ‘Mockingjay—Part 1.’ And perhaps that’s because audiences are beginning to tire of the elongated franchise climax and its transparent methods. Beginning with “Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows” which was split into two parts and made zillions, every studio wants to wring and milk as much money as they can from their final episodes, sorry, film in the franchise.
The “Twilight Saga” did the same thing, Peter Jackson overstayed his welcome with “The Hobbit” trilogy, Marvel intends to do it with “Avengers: Infinity Wars” and copycats DC/Warner will Xerox the formula for a two-part “Justice League” film. But as “Mockingjay—Part 1” showed at the box-office, if you’re just delaying the inevitable and prolonging your story simply for financial gain and without much narrative rhyme or reasons, this plan can backfire.
Then there’s the overwhelming sensation that we know what’s coming moreso than any other franchise out there. Regardless if you’ve read the books or not, you know that Katniss and company are going to overthrow the evil dictator President Snow in this final installment. Will audiences tune in to see how it all goes down? Here’s the official synopsis:
The blockbuster Hunger Games franchise has taken audiences by storm around the world, grossing more than $2.2 billion at the global box office. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 now brings the franchise to its powerful final chapter in which Katniss Everdeen [Jennifer Lawrence] realizes the stakes are no longer just for survival – they are for the future.
With the nation of Panem in a full scale war, Katniss confronts President Snow [Donald Sutherland] in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale [Liam Hemsworth], Finnick [Sam Claflin] and Peeta [Josh Hutcherson] – Katniss goes off on a mission with the unit from District 13 as they risk their lives to liberate the citizens of Panem, and stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her. The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” is directed by Francis Lawrence and stars once again, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone with Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland. The impressive lineup is joined by “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” co-stars Academy Award®-winner Julianne Moore, Mahershala Ali, Natalie Dormer, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson and Evan Ross. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” lands in theaters November 20. Will the disappointing box-office of the last repeat itself or will audience turn up for the final chapter to see how Katniss pulls it off? Judge for yourself and watch the first trailer below.