I was a huge fan of the second Hunger Games film, which opened the world wide open and entered the dark side. Closely compared to The Empire Strikes Back, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire took solace in pushing the limits of a PG-13 rating and becoming darker than any young adult adaptation has before.
Lionsgate shared the first trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, a film that looks even darker than its predecessor. Katniss has accepted her role, even though she doesn’t want it (her complaining reminds me of Dante in Kevin Smith’s Clerks, “I’m not even supposed to be here today”), and has become the leader in an all-out war. The coolest shot in the trailer is when she takes down an aircraft with her bow and arrow.
In theaters November 21, 2014, the worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, which finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig.