The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1: Teen Movie Review

She’s the face of the revolution and a symbol of hope. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is a seventeen year old girl from District 12, and a survivor of the of the country’s inhumane Hunger Games. When she awakes in District 13 and discovers that District 12 has been shattered to rubble due to the previous games, she’s panicked and scared. Though her mom and sister are safe, she discovers that Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), her friend and true love, has been captured by the Capitol’s evil President, and is being used to spread propaganda. Now Katniss, with the help of some friends, must not only save Peeta, but save a nation and it’s oppressed people from their corrupt government. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 is the third film in a trilogy, based on a popular novel by Suzanne Collins.

Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 6, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This movie is not as violent as the previous films in the series. We don’t see children killing children as a source of entertainment. Having said that, this is a dark and somewhat disturbing film. While the nation of Panem is in the midst of a civil war, we see fighting and evil throughout the film.

The movie could spark some interesting parent/child conversations regarding war and propaganda.

Sexual Content: Mild

Katniss and Gale briefly kiss.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There are battles between the rebels and the “peacekeepers.” Character’s are shot to death, beaten and blown up.
We see injured civilians and remnants of hundreds of corpses all over the ground.
A character nearly choked to death.
During a bomb raid, characters of District 13 hide underground. We hear the loud booming noise while the scared victims seek shelter.
A character is injected with venom, and used as a human weapon. We see him struggling as he’s in severe pain.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is an intense drama. Depending on the child, I feel this is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.