I was lucky enough to get pre-screening passes to Mockingjay – Part One this past Tuesday in Milwaukee. I had to work until 3:00 but that didn’t stop me from getting ready early! I wore my Hunger Games inspired arrow necklace, a Hunger Games bracelet, and a Mockingjay tattoo I saved from when the book came out! And of courses I had a Mockinjay pin on my coat!
Thankfully I got there pretty early. There was quite a line and not everyone was able to get in. Thanks to AMC Mayfair Mall for keeping the line and the event organized! My one complaint? People saving MANY places in line! I totally understand saving a space for one friend. However, when I got in line there were seven people in front of me. By the time they let us in there were over thirty!!! Obviously this is not a complaint about the theater or the movie… just about people being rude in general!!
Movie Thoughts:
There will be no spoilers for Mockingjay – Part One but there will likely be some for The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.
I will pay to see this movie again! I might even pay to see it again and again and again! I liked The Hunger Games but really loved Catching Fire. Mockingjay – Part One is definitely on par with Catching Fire for awesomeness.
First, a disclaimer, I haven’t read Mockingjay since I flew through it on release day. What does this mean? I remember the basic storyline and main events but am a little fuzzy on the details. This worked well for me. It meant I was never waiting for specific things to happen which increased my enjoyment! Also, I am very careful to remember that movies are re-makes of the book… not just the book in film form.
Mockingjay – Part One is an intense movie from scene one. All the tension and build up to revolution has reached it’s breaking point. There is no going back. Scene after scene after scene shows this. We see Katniss trying to recover from the games. We see refugees from twelve and other districts. And we finally see the renegade District Thirteen! Make no mistake, there is a lot of death and war and really heavy stuff going on. At the same time, there is hope and light. The characters of Effie and Haymitch really highlight this. They provide a much needed dose of levity to the story. What I appreciated most was that they also provide wisdom and a bit of reality in a world turned upside down. From Effie and Haymitch!! Impressive.
While I was glad I didn’t re-read Mockingjay before seeing the movie I do wish I would have watched Catching Fire again. There were a few things I had forgotten that I wish I would have remembered going in. However, this didn’t take away from the movie at all.
I really loved seeing familiar faces like Beetee, Finnik, Gale and Katniss’ family. New characters were introduced seamlessly, however, there were not any new characters I loved. Knowing the book, I did not find this surprising!
I was engrossed in Mockingjay – Part One from the get-go. The pacing, the action, the characters… it all worked, My only complaint? Having to wait for part two!!!
Giveaway:
Thanks to THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1 I have five special Mockingjay pins to giveaway!
US only. Must be 13 or older to enter. Use the rafflecopter below.
Kristina Hammock
Peeta is definitely my favorite part 🙂
Joanna
Thank you for hosting a wonderful give away. The trailer looks awesome and I can’t wait to see the movie. Glad you enjoyed it.
Rudy G
I love that it is the youth who rise up in rebellion. No one thinks young people can do anything…
Zoe
I love how their action packed! And that all the characters are amazing and likeable. (Except Snow, of course)
Michelle
Nice article, Heidi! I love that you built up the excitement, but didn’t give any details away.
Nancy L.R.
I actually have NOT read the Hunger Games *hides*
I’d heard of the trilogy before the movies came out but never had any interest in reading them. Then I saw the movie, which I loved, and I decided that I would, but only after I’m done watching the movies.
I’m really excited about Mockingjay! I read spoilers (you can never escape them) & why two parts?!
Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Lynn K.
I love the story, the grittiness and realistic situations.
Rain Jeys
I love the world-building.
Roshini
Awesome blog and great giveaway! Wanna go watch the movie
Samantha G
I love all the adventures and how characters deal with situations, like Katniss always makes some kind of plot-carrying action and that’s what’s fascinating about Suzanne’s characters; they don’t let things just happen to them- they fight back.
Allison R
I liked the audiobook. I listened to the Hunger Games and really enjoyed the narrator (I’m picky about that!). I’m also a fan of Rue, she is one of my favorite characters.
Sophia A
The great thing about HG is the realistic feeling of war. If everyone got out alive…how real would that really be?