Mockingjay – Part 1 lacks spectacle and story, so it focuses on human feelings. While the sociopolitical aspects are compelling, the personal drama is thin. There isn't any growth and the protagonist makes few definitive choices. Instead, she's singularly motivated by a contrived romance. Meanwhile, the script has setup without payoff, minimal plot points, repetitive filler, a weak throughline, and no beginning or end. There's an inconsistent villain, excessive dialogue, and contrivances. Only the convincing (yet one-note) performances and the tense media war hold the narrative together. Overall, Mockingjay – Part 1 includes worthy substance but is an unsatisfying placeholder.
Technically, Mockingjay – Part 1 is consistent, dull, and incomplete. The cinematography contributes dark lighting, bland colors, and mild composition. Its editing offers tedious pacing, no climax, meandering structure, and clumsy momentum. The sound provides action, muffling, echoes, and significant split cuts. Its music has generic scoring, suspense, catchy end credits, and memorable trans-diegetic singing. The cast is as deep, famous, and talented as ever. Its effects use plenty of CGI. The production design conveys the bleakness of war but becomes overly drab and monotonous. Ultimately, Mockingjay – Part 1 buries legitimate skill in a slog of dour and diluted padding.
Writing: 5/10
Direction: 5/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Acting: 8/10
Editing: 5/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 9/10
Effects: 8/10
Overall Score: 6.8/10
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