All JLaw and Katniss fans must have been eagerly awaiting the Mockinjay - Part 1. Quick comment about why 2 parts - to make money just because Harry Potter did it.
Went with lots of expectations. And, also a sense of nostalgia to see Philip Seymour Hoffman.Story wise - the movie tries to follow the book. Where it lacks is in the depth of detail so well portrayed in the book. District 13 comes off as a huge underground military camp. Some of the scenes that go down well are(1) Katniss’ impassioned speech on seeing the devastation at the hospital and(2) President Snow’s conversation with Katniss towards the end of the movie.
One would expect that Katniss having gone through two gruelling and life threatening Hunger Games would be more restrained in her emotions. Even the P of Peeta sets her off bawling and screaming. Peeta Mellark does a wonderful potrayal of a man going down into a dungeon of despair and helplessness. Gail remains the strong silent man committed to the cause and always has a ready shoulder for Katniss to fall back on.
To be fair to the book, this portion does not really have as many action sequences as the second part should have. One would have liked to see some more of the Tributes’ rescue towards the end.To watch out for - Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Prim(maturing through the stories).
All in all - a movie for JLaw and Mockinjay fans. Watch and wait for Part 2.