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The Fire is Out

Look at the title of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" and you will find the crippling issue with this film. See where it says "Part 2"? That "Part 2" is the movie's undoing.

Of course,  "The Hunger Games" series isn't the only adaptation franchise to split the final book of a series into two parts. "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" did it, with the latter done much more effectively. "The Hunger Games" took the final book of the trilogy - which I have not read but only runs about 400 pages - and made two elongated and bloated movies just to keep earning those box office receipts. Instead of making one compelling movie, it all feels like a frustrating cash grab.

A year ago, I walked out of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" disappointed that I had watched a once relatively exciting series come to a screeching halt. I am not a diehard "The Hunger Games" fan but enjoyed the first two movies. Last year's installment felt like a two-plus hour trailer, which was certain to deliver an exciting finale. I called it a "Part 1" in desperate need of its "Part 2."

"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" has arrived and it feels like a tedious continuation of Katniss Everdeen's (Jennifer Lawrence) pursuit for revenge and catharsis. The film picks up immediately where the last one left off (these movies have always been good about doing that seamlessly.) Katniss is being examined after undergoing an attack by her one-time friend and romantic interest, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson.) Katniss doesn't recognize who Peeta has become and it continues to fuel her thirst for revenge against President Snow (Donald Sutherland.)

Katniss is a part of Squad 451, which consists of her other sometimes-romantic interest, Gale (Liam Hemsworth), as well as Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Cressida (Natalie Dormer.) Together, they make their way to the Capitol so Katniss can kill President Snow.

Their march to the Capitol should be infused with energy and suspense but is far too languid. Even so, Lawrence remains commanding as ever as Katniss. She has become the face of so much throughout these movies that people have gotten used to blaming her for any death and destruction that occurs. She remains steadfast in her goals, rarely letting outside noise keep her from what she knows she has to do.

Some familiar faces pop up throughout the movie. The last movie introduced us to President Coin (Julianne Moore) and Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.) Woody Harrelson remains a source of much needed levity as Haymitch, who brings a few chuckles out of the heavy material while being the voice of reason. Elizabeth Banks isn't given much to do as Effie this time around, which is a shame because she has always been this franchise's secret weapon.

Director Francis Lawrence finishes off the series and has often been good at the helm. This time around, everything seems particularly dim, stylistically speaking. There is so much lurking in the dark that it can often be indistinguishable as to who is who. There is a moment of action that is thrilling but is hard to become too invested in because it's quick, dark and chaotic.

At the end of the day, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" will satisfy its fans simply because they will be so emotionally invested in saying goodbye to Katniss and the entire series. For us casual fans, there is no grand feeling of something great concluding. It all just fades to black in a whimper.