The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 brings the franchise to an explosive end with a government coup, murky politics, propaganda and death. Lots of death.
Actually, though, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is an extraordinary, if not essential, movie for today’s teens. In fact, I’d be surprised if some schools didn’t start showing it in class. Mockingjay 2 doesn’t glorify war, battle, killing or death like many other movies; instead, it makes the realities of war chillingly palpable. Warning: Spoilers ahead!
As the final film in The Hunger Games series, Mockingjay 2 has the rebels continuing their mission to overthrow a ruthless and conniving dictator, President Snow. Many districts are on board, but not all – so, moral questions arise. Should war against the Capitol mean war against other districts in Panem who are still loyal to the regime? Should one district bomb another in the quest for change? And, what happens when the rebels oust the President – who replaces him and how can they be sure the change is truly for the better?
The Hunger Games movies re-sensitize viewers to the horrors of killing someone, losing someone and being trapped in battle. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss is excellent at making the viewer feel her inner conflict, doubt, fear, shame and rage. The most eye-opening lesson comes when Katniss sets a military strategy and it ends in disaster, half of her unit wiped out. She takes personal responsibility, realizing her bad decision cost others their lives. Katniss has a true awakening of the difference between thinking “something could go wrong” and what that truly means when it does. It’s a valuable moment.
It’s also horrific. My 14-year old grasped and clutched my hand throughout that scene. She’s old enough not to be traumatized by the images of the “mutts” (think Black Lagoon zombies) attacking and killing Katniss’ unit, but for younger kids, this could very well become the stuff of nightmares. And, it’s not just that scene – my heart was pounding throughout most of the 2 hours and 17 minutes.
War is truly depicted as hell, and even more so when the Capitol is booby trapped with “pods” of terror created by the twisted minds of the Game Makers. That’s because Mockingjay 2 returns to its roots, and in its last film, children are once again killed. Nothing graphic is ever shown, it’s all close-ups and cutaways, but the safety net is removed for the viewer. No one is safe in this movie, just as no one is safe during a war.
The conversation I had with my daughter on the ride home was less about war and more about love. Katniss is torn between Gale and Peeta through all four films; it’s fair to say she loves them both, so who does she “choose?” The film opened up a nice conversation about why, usually, it’s best not to marry until you truly know yourself – that people evolve and change considerably before the age of 30. Katniss, Gale and Peeta still embody the same wonderful qualities they had at the beginning of our journey with them, but they’ve matured and their experiences cause them to see the world differently now. Most importantly, it’s insightful for kids to witness that love and eternal compatibility aren’t the same thing.
Mockingjay 2 maintains that freedom is always worth fighting for. However, it also cautions with a visceral lesson of what revolution entails to the individual, friends, family and the community.
See What Other Parents Think:
NYC Single Mom: Jennifer Lawrence Does Not Disappoint
A Daily Dose of Toni: Mockingjay 2: A Family Review
Savings with Denise: Should Your Teens See Mockingjay 2?
Five Dollar Shake: HG is a Great Mother-Daughter Experience
