According to Donald Sutherland, Jennifer Lawrence is akin to Jesus Christ.
That’s mighty high praise for the star of The Hunger Games franchise.
But is The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 worthy of the same praise? What are critics around the country saying about this wildly anticipated blockbuster? Let’s find out…
Mockingjay – Part 1, however well done, can’t compete with the first two films, although it sets up what should be its stunning ending well enough. – Tom Long
If Mockingjay – Part 1 is quieter and less flashy than its predecessors, that doesn’t make it less satisfying. – Steven Rea
Lawrence delivers on what dramatic beats half a novel affords him. You just wish there were more of them and that they provided a more complete, more satisfying story arc. – Kenneth Turan
Katniss’ concern for the anti-sexy Peeta results in her spending quite a bit of the movie in po-faced mopery. – Kurt Loder
Mockingjay – Part 1 is just big enough of a story that, even as a two-parter, the film feels substantial and justifiably halved. There’s simply too much to digest as all the pieces are put into place and the real games are set to begin. – Kirk Baird
This is the “Empire Strikes Back” of the series, with the heroes constantly on defense – running, hiding, planning, hoping. – Rob Thomas
Jennifer Lawrence is as good as always and gets a few key scenes to play up the emotional aspect of what’s occurring.– Jim Judy