The Hunger Games franchise faces its biggest challenge since Gary Ross’ book-report of a first film ill-advisedly adapted Suzanne Collins’ series-shifting climax into two films. The third and final book is filled by the revolution, whose fires were stoked by Hunger Games victor Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her partner, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). 

After Katniss’ explosive second appearance in the games, Catching Fire’s Quarter Quell, the Rebels, led by District 13 President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) and games architect Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), are hiding in Panem’s militaristic region preparing to strike against the Capitol. But President Snow (Donald Sutherland) has a secret weapon he unleashes upon the rebellion’s precious Mockingjay, Katniss’ fellow tribute Peeta.

Director Francis Lawrence elevated the franchise with his more successful second entry, constructing it  with a more appropriate science-fiction mood. Splitting the book into two films may increase box office earnings, but it’s a dangerous narrative gambit. Mockingjay —Part 1 winds up a largely actionless movie that would have amounted to little more than the first act of a single film. 

Fortunately, the little action that occurs is tremendously staged. The Capitol’s catalytic bombing of a defenseless hospital (it feels like a sequence from Starship Troopers, which is a gigantic compliment) and the climactic raid to rescue the imprisoned Tributes are tensely realized. That final raid, a stunning combination of suspense and combat, may wind up the series’ most effective set piece; it could have been ripped straight from Kathryn Bigelow film.

Yet most of the movie is the equivalent of Katniss hiding in a ventilation shaft. Our heroine has the least to do since volunteering to take Prim’s place in the 74th Hunger Games. She’s more of a Bella Swan, being acted upon rather than acting herself. 

After an Oscar and high-profile adult roles like American Hustle, Lawrence the actress suddenly appears too old to be the teenage Katniss. It’s rare that changing an actor might benefit a franchise, but The Hunger Games could be the exception. Screenwriters Peter Craig and Danny Strong (how far you have come, young Jonathan Levinson!) even address this issue with a tossed-off line about making Katniss up to look like a 35-year-old woman. Simple self-awareness does not dismiss the problem. Katniss’ constant vacillating becomes a tougher sell when it comes from an apparently grown woman.

Much like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Mockingjay—Part 1 accomplishes its placeholding goal. No one will ever cite it as their favorite entry in the series, though it has some incredible sequences that would have landed more powerfully in one single, epic film. Maybe Lionsgate will use the extra money and leftover silo sets from this flick for a reduced cost adaptation of Wool; a fan can dream, can’t he?