Film Preview: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 (2014)

Poster

Poster #1

Additional posters can be found below.

Trailer Link

Release Date:

November 21, 2014

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Katniss Everdeen reluctantly becomes the symbol of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol.”

Poster: B / B+ (7) / C+ / B- / C+ (6) / B- (6) / C- / B

Review: (#1-#8) The motif of the previous films is carried forward in the primary design for the third film in the franchise. The mockingjay itself is now in battle formation, which tells you just about all you need to know about where the film stands. The other seven posters are selected designs representing heroes from each of the districts. Part of a propaganda campaign against the uprising that are plaguing Panem, the Capital is resorting to any kind of trick they can to sell the war and these designs are a crisp reminder of what each district is known for while also highlighting the courage of the people even when they are being repressed.

(#9) I’m not sure whether this design is intended to invoke the “purity” of the Capital or if it’s meant to represent a statue dedicated to unity. Either way, it’s a bit too amorphous.

(#10) This anarchic design is a far cry from the more stylized designs that have preceded it. That helps make it stand out in a crowd even if it isn’t a design many would want to own.

(#11-#16) A rather bold series of character designs, focusing on the people behind the scenes rather than the ever-present victors. It’s a cold, lifeless area in which the film is set, making these designs fit well in that thematic realm.

(#17-#22) The darkness of these posters doesn’t evoke a sense of distinctiveness, but they are stylishly bold and feature even more character that aren’t as familiar to audiences. The lack of background change links them to the prior character designs, but also make the blackness of them feel more oppressive and less fitting.

(#23-#24) Setting Katniss up with her back to the camera small wings built into her outfit may reinforce the concept of her being the Mockingjay, but it’s also unnecessarily bleak. The twenty-fourth poster, however, pulls forward the flaming mockingjay motif of past designs while positioning Katniss so that it appears that the fiery wings of the bird are instead coming from her back, which best evoke’s her importance to this particular film’s goals.

(#25) This and design #10 are cut from the same cloth. This one better isolates the Mockingjay herself and the creativity is certainly better than most, but ultimately it’s an easily dismissed poster.

Trailer: B- / A / B / A- / B+

Review: (#1) This teaser for the film continues the propaganda theme from the seven district posters. This time, President Snow is using his smooth voice and powerful demeanor to encourage recalcitrance and obedience from the public by putting down the rebellion as an attempt to kill the heart of the district that keeps them all alive. As reinforcement, he’s got a special guest whose positioning may come as a shock to anyone who hasn’t read the book and will prove to be an integral part of this chapter of the franchise.

(#2) This is how you sell fans of the books and the films. It’s simple, evocative, but 100% in line with the book’s themes. That makes for a thrilling statement on the film even if it is only a teaser.

(#3) Some might consider this dialogue-heavy trailer as exciting. Really, it’s not that engaging and doesn’t flow with the prior trailers that have so far been released.

(#4) A blend of swelling music and stunning images help turn this into one of the better designs in the franchise to date. While the third trailer might have preached to fans, this fourth might actually push it out to non-fans.

(#5) For those barely familiar with the book, this trailer might encourage new enthusiasm with audiences. However, it is still targeted at fans of the franchise, book and film. This stokes the excitement in ways the prior outings didn’t, but relies too much on familiar ideas and concepts to be truly first rate.

Oscar Prospects:

If the first two films couldn’t find favor with the Academy, the third of four films isn’t likely to either.

Revisions:

(July 5, 2014) Original
(July 13, 2014) New Trailer (#2) / New Poster (#9)
(Aug. 3, 2014) New Trailer (#3) / New Poster (#10)
(September 21, 2014) New Trailer (#4) / New Posters (#11-#24)
(November 2, 2014) New Trailer (#5)
(November 16, 2014) New Poster (#25)