Plant City Movies is a multiscreen theater located in Hillsborough County near the United States Post Office and south of Roseland Park. This cinematic attraction can also be found near Bruton Memorial Library and Turkey Creek, the Bealsville community, and Tampa City.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
The Hunger Games franchise has grown into a box office success since 2012’s The Hunger Games hit theaters. Domestic grosses for that film totaled an incredible $237 million, while worldwide earnings topped $2.3 billion! Now, nearly two years later, with Catching Fire finally in theaters, fans of Katniss Everdeen can see what became of her rebellion against Panem in November 2022.
Francis Lawrence directed, and Peter Craig and Danny Strong wrote The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, the third and final installment in his Hunger Games trilogy, featuring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland as its stars. It follows Katniss as she returns to District 13 following her arrow’s destruction of President Snow’s forcefield, which led to a mass uprising against Capitol rule and President Snow bombed District 12 due to her destruction of forcefield destroyed by Katniss; she meets Alma Coin (Moore), leader of rebelling underground District 13 who asks her to become Mockingjay figurehead that will capture public attention while spreading revolution message in District 13.
After being viciously assaulted by Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Katniss reluctantly agrees to join a team of operatives, including Cressida (Natalie Dormer) and Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin). While training to attack the Capitol, Katniss fears her fragile relationship with Peeta may derail their mission; eventually, Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) returns, and they discover how the Capitol has managed to access satellites to control public opinion.
Mockingjay Part 1 is an entertaining addition to The Hunger Games series, yet it suffers from the same flaw as Mockingjay in that there’s too much happening. Still, nothing moves forward, and it feels like the second act in a quadrilogy spanning four films. Actors continue to deliver top performances, but this movie lacks that spark of creativity found in its predecessors – rating PG-13 due to intense sequences of violence and action and disturbing images, thematic material, and suggestive scenes.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
After witnessing her friends perish in the Hunger Games, Katniss is brought into District 13 as a symbol of a mass rebellion against Capitol. Although initially resisting, she soon embraces her mission of saving Peeta, Panem’s people, and herself – an experience that may never heal completely. Though The Mockingjay may be a dark and brutal film, its powerful message that war is no game will remain with viewers long after this film is complete.
Mockingjay is a different film from its predecessors in The Hunger Games series, which took place within Capitol’s deadly gaming arenas and pitted man against woman, teenager against teen. Here, however, the action centers around Panem’s devastated remains, with rebels engaging white-clad peacekeepers in the battle for supremacy, leading to massive casualties. However, camerawork tries hard not to capture blood-soaked scenes of violence therein.
Katniss meets with Plutarch Heavensbee, head of propaganda for the rebellion, to learn that Peeta Mellark has been brainwashed into opposing her by the Capitol and must now hate her in return. Katniss agrees to become a Mockingjay on condition that Peeta be rescued at once and pardoned. Meanwhile, Plutarch discloses to her how tracker jackers have been used by Capitol authorities as torture methods that function similarly to aversion therapy.
Mockingjay further heightens viewers’ emotions through Katniss’ insecurity regarding her relationship with Gale Hawthorne, her fellow rebellion leader. Their feelings for each other are further complicated by Katniss still loving Peeta and knowing her actions have caused emotional trauma for him due to her participation in the Games. Mockingjay captures the complicated and volatile nature of relationships in wartime environments while teaching viewers that even when someone you care for loves you back, they must constantly fight to defend them both ways.
Mockingjay is not an optimistic movie, but its heroine, Katniss, epitomizes courage and passion, so discussing its political themes is essential – how President Coin differs from President Snow and Katniss’ hopes for Panem. Additionally, media and messaging impact children differently, which offers an excellent way to discuss war’s effect on children and courage, perseverance, and self-control as potential keys to life success.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 3
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), after two victories in The Hunger Games, finds herself living in District 13 under President Coin (Julianne Moore). There, she leads a rebellion against the Capitol, becoming its Mockingjay symbol and leading their struggle. As her rebellion intensifies in this final film, however, its fire closer to home – she must come to terms with its consequences and her potential own involvement that may not have been as pure as initially portrayed.
The Hunger Games franchise has already produced three movies, each breaking records at the box office. Catching Fire earned the most money for any day or weekend at its debut screening in November 2013. Two years later, Mockingjay Part 1 retook top honors – it is also currently the 21st highest-grossing film of all time! Its fourth and final installment (Mockingjay Part 2) is now in theaters.
Mockingjay Part 2 picks up shortly after an altered Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) attacks Katniss. Convinced he will never return to normal, Katniss seeks out President Coin for help, who assigns her a special ops team along with Finnick (Sam Claflin), propaganda director Cressida (Natalie Dormer), and an injured, fragile Peeta.
Katniss and her allies embark on a dangerous mission, being gunned down and bombed at every turn. Katniss sustains injuries to both her neck and midsection from being shot and receiving a morphine drip to ease her suffering. Still, nothing seems able to quell Katniss’ fury against Snow despite its ongoing hardship and misery for others.
The Mockingjay may not be as strong as its predecessors, but it still delivers an engaging viewing experience. Francis Lawrence draws out strong performances from his cast – particularly Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. Lawrence takes her character to new heights, showing just how messy and complicated Katniss can be – an appropriate endpoint to Suzanne Collins’ remarkable trilogy.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 4
This final installment in The Hunger Games trilogy marks its conclusion, picking up shortly after Catching Fire. Jennifer Lawrence reprises her role as Katniss Everdeen, leading a revolt against Panem’s totalitarian government and raises challenging questions about war and how societies maintain order. It offers some profound answers as well.
It also deals with issues of sexism and racism, specifically regarding black District 12 tributes. Furthermore, this political thriller draws heavily from debates surrounding abortion and gun control legislation; spectacular action sequences and well-developed characters make this movie a must-see for fans of the series.
One of the movie’s highlights is its stunning visual effects, making this blockbuster even more impressive than ever. The filmmakers did an outstanding job creating Panem’s futuristic world while keeping things from becoming too depressing or dark. Furthermore, its soundtrack provides a fantastic variety of genres and styles.
Jennifer Lawrence excels as Katniss. Josh Hutcherson shines as Peeta, while Liam Hemsworth successfully portrays conflicted Gale. Also notable performances come from Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, Stanley Tucci as Caesar, and Donald Sutherland, who appears as President Snow.
While there is some action, most of the film focuses on Katniss’ struggle to become an effective Mockingjay. Unfortunately, the movie fails to do too much at once, often getting lost in its complex plot and forgetting what matters in terms of storytelling. While its ending may disappoint somewhat, its intensity makes up for any shortcomings in execution.
Lionsgate Home Entertainment has released all three Hunger Games films, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and Mockingjay, as 4K Blu-ray collections featuring all bonus features from previous releases plus Dolby Atmos audio for a comprehensive experience for fans as well as anyone wanting an introduction to them for the first time. Fans should consider adding this collection as a must-own, while newcomers should view these as an introduction to this iconic franchise.
