The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II

Blockbuster season continues with the release of the final Hunger Games film: Mockingjay Part II. Now, we're self-confessed fans of the series and this, again, is a great version of the brilliant books. Catching Fire is still the peak of the series but this is a meaty and satisfying conclusion to a well-loved franchise.

Divergent and The Maze Runner have tried to homage and steal some of Suzanne Collins' thunder but, once again, this is a step-up in class from those two.

We were sceptical when they decided to split the final book into two; it feels too much like a marketing ploy as the final book actually contains the least amount of plot unlike the Harry Potter or Hobbit series, for example.

It must be said that this is long and must be slightly baffling for those unaffiliated with the books and the LoTR-esque, multi-endings don't quite hit the right notes.

Mockingjay Part I was chastised for a lack of action and the same criticism will be levelled at this chapter, there's a lot of build-up but this lends the action scenes and the plot gravitas.

It hits the right action and horror notes that the previous films did but lacks a little on the emotional front, three big characters drop from the series in unsatisfying ways.

Fans can't complain at having more film to enjoy though and, although it's a slightly blunted ending because of this split and a couple of scenes fall a little flat, this hits the right notes.

Certainly worth a watch if you're a fan.

4 stars ****