For a film about rebelling against the oppressive overlords who just want to drain your precious resources for their own benefit, it's awfully greedy with your time and treasure. You know, because, in an effort to make two movies from one very popular book, they've padded out this installment — and in the laziest possible ways. Following Katniss Everdeen's disruption of the Hunger Games in Catching Fire, the militarized District 13 is attempting to rally the other Districts to rise up against the Capital. Wouldn't it have been fun to spend some time among the undecided, watching them process the competing messages about liberty and security? Instead: Here we are flying. Here we are sitting. Here we are walking. Here we are marching down stairs... Speaking of lazy: for a film about the power of media to sway humanity in a desired direction, it's awfully leaden. (How on earth did Julianne Moore's concrete slab of a character ever get elected President of a rebellion? No wonder they need the Mockingjay's mug to serve as their Che T-shirt.) Director Francis Lawrence seems content to let star Jennifer Lawrence show you how you should feel during any given scene, as opposed to presenting things with any kind of inherent drama. She's a capable actress, but at times, the load is just too heavy, and she can only break down into histrionics. What the film gets right is its portrayal of a Young Person, full of Young Person concerns, dealing with Old People and their Old People preoccupations. (Basically, "I want to rescue my friend" vs. "We want to win a war.") Also the vampiric nature of moviemaking (Natalie Dormer is great as a director chasing the shot above all else.) (2014) — Matthew Lickona