The final installment of the Hunger Games series, Mockingjay Part 2 finally came to an end after the long-anticipated hype. Even though I have read the book series, Mockingjay was by far the worst book of the three movies. All the major scenes in the book happened so quickly, that most readers, including myself missed key deaths that occurred and were later shocked at missing such pivotal moments. I don’t want to go into a rant about the book, but even though the movie followed the book, I can say that for the first time, I’ve liked a movie better than its respective book.

Even though I knew what was going to happen in the movie, the acting, special effects and suspense took me by surprise. There were multiple scenes which were slow and were immediately followed by a series of action events, with one shocking event after another. Without spoiling anything by this point of the movie, I was jolted back with my knees on the seat and tears flowing and my emotions scattered, just like the book.

The success of this movie franchise can be attributed to the cast. Their powerful acting and deep connection and development of their characters makes all other aspects of the movie less significant in comparison. Even if all the special effects and sets were the same, but the cast different, this movie series would not have been as big of a hit without Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, along with the rest of the cast, and their chemistry on and off screen.

Overall, the movie was emotional and intense, I don’t think I’ve ever cried so early on in any movie. However, even though I disagree with many events that happened in the book, and thus in the movie (cough cough, the death of two important people), I ultimately say that this movie was a satisfying end to this series. It wasn’t the best movie (or book) in the series, but it was better than Part 1, due to more action scenes (and, of course, more Peeta).