Movie Reviews: Mockingjay Part 2 and The Good Dinosaur

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2: Well, the Hunger Games has come to an end. It’s been a year since Mockingjay: Part 1 came out and similar to the first installment in the finale, I’ve noticed that reviews have been less than stellar. Once again though, I would personally disagree. I really loved this film. I was definitely one who was not on board with the decision for the film to be split in two, but now that both parts have come out, I am content with the choice. Part of the enjoyment in reading The Hunger Games and it’s sequel Catching Fire was how fast paced it was and the suspense of every chapter ending on a cliff-hanger. In contrast, I found this style more jarring in the final book because it seemed to be too rushed and not thought out as well as the previous books. Since it was the culmination of the story, I felt it needed more time to breath and reach the climactic ending. So splitting the movie, while still ultimately unnecessary, did give the viewer more time to enjoy the characters and see the rebellion play out (I will say, just like the book, a few deaths in particular were very “blink and you’ll miss it”).

I found this film to hit me more emotionally compared to the book as well. As Mockingjay: Part 2 reached it’s final 15 minutes, my throat was coarse as I tried to push back my tears. When Jennifer Lawrence finally lets the emotions of pain and loss come out when she returns to her empty home at the Victor’s Village, it was like I was releasing all the stress and intensity of the terrible situations she had to live through with her. While the film is quite bleak and dark, the bittersweet ending of both the book and movie is something I like. There isn’t a triumphant battle and epic kiss between her chosen love; the ending is realistic. War does not give happy beautiful endings and this film represents that well. I think everyone involved should be proud of the films. I will miss these characters and the actors in their roles. As the credits roll, “Deep In The Meadow" plays, which is the song Katniss sang to a dying Rue in the first Hunger Games film. I thought this was a nice touch and really brought the film round circle. It was Rue who truly started the revolution and her death did mean something, even though Katniss lost so much.

The Good Dinosaur: After the delightful Inside Out arrived this summer, I was incredibly excited for Pixar’s second film this year, The Good Dinosaur. Between my love of dinosaurs and love for Pixar, I felt like it would have to be a winner. The film was advertised with a focus on friendship, which admittedly made me tear up every time I saw a clip. Now having seen the film, I can say that I was not disappointed. I found it aesthetically mesmerizing, simple, sweet, kind, and heartwarming. I left the movie with a the feeling of having had a wonderful hug from a new friend. The story focuses on a small and hesitant (and green!) dinosaur named Arlo. The world is what would have happened if dinosaurs had never disappeared from earth and so we see that Arlo lives on a farm with his parents and two siblings, and they work hard to grow food to support themselves. It is peaceful and beautiful. Little Arlo was born nervous and fearful of everything, but his father believes he will have his moment. Arlo discovers a creature is stealing the family’s corn, which turns out to be a little boy (later named Spot.) He is given the task to solve the problem, which soon leads to sadness and heartbreak for the family. Arlo wants to prove himself and one day finds the boy again, leading to a series of events where Arlo becomes lost and a long way from home. The movie then continues with Arlo becoming brave and forming a friendship with Spot. 

I personally loved the simplicity of the film, there isn’t much dialogue and the scenery is a character in itself, but I think this is where some people will find fault in the film. The story isn’t particularly new or unique and there are a lot of films you could think of that are similar in plot. None are quite as lovely and gorgeous as The Good Dinosaur though. Since Pixar is so great at making films for both adults and kids, some may consider this to be the most “kid” film that Pixar has released. For me, I just loved how truly good-natured Arlo was and his nervousness really connected with me and reminded me of myself. Fundamentally though, the film’s friendship and connection between Arlo and Spot displays another perfect duo that Pixar has given us so many times.