The Hunger Games, Mockingjay Part 1: thoughts

Dear Movie Moguls,

If you're going to split a single book into two or more (i.e. The Hobbit) films, you better make them ALL amazing.  Harry Potter & co. got it right with The Deathly Hallows parts 1 & 2: the first was effective tension that nicely set up an action-packed capper to the series.  The latest addition to The Hunger Games was a huge disappointment following two excellent film adaptations.  If we are presented 4 films on 3 books (or the insane Peter Jackson approach 3 films for 1 book), you can't have the first of the final two be mediocre set-up for the final chapter.  That's a cop out.  Instead, make one film that kicks butt even if it ends up clocking in at 3+ hours.  The counter argument to those who insist on proclaiming "the book is better than the movie" has always been to make a better movie.  Not to give audiences 1.5 OK movies from a single novel.  Interestingly, the author of Fight Club has gone on record stating that he felt the film adaptation beat out his own novel.  Filmgoers deserve better if they're going to line up at the movie theaters and continue to support the industry.  I'm definitely not asking for non-stop action, but some level of suspense and tension would be much appreciated.  This FEELS like half of a story, an unfinished entry, not one that could stand alone and succeed like the Potter films.  At the end of the day, Mockingjay part 1 is a forgettable entry that stands alongside two exceptional films that preceded it.  Here's hoping the final chapter doesn't disappoint.

Sincerely,
Citizen J.Kane

2.5 out of 5 stars (I mean, it wasn't the worst movie in the world either)