Imagine the people of North Korea realizing that they outnumber their nation’s military in brute force and therefore they decide to overthrow the tyranny they’ve been under for all these decades.
Consider the unavoidable violence that would occur as the people would sacrifice their bodies as weapons against the armed military forces of the government. Think about how the landscape would be covered with the charred remains of the thousands fought for the cause of dethroning their oppressor.
It would be a grim picture.
I have just described the mood and feel of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, but the setting is not North Korea, it is a future version of America.
The reason I used North Korea as the example is because I feel the newest Hunger Games installment is a realistic glimpse of what really could happen if any oppressed nation turned own their government.
It all goes back to this concept: The people of a nation are only controlled by their government if they allow themselves to be.
And this is one of the many reasons I love The Hunger Games: The Libertarian theme is undeniable.
Amazingly, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 contains no profanity whatsoever; not even what I call a “1950’s cuss word” like “crap” or even something harmless like “dang it”. Nothing.
Unless I missed one… but I’ve always had a talent for hearing profanity in movies, and I can tell you, I didn’t hear even one questionable or potentially offensive word in this movie.
Likewise, it contains no sexual content or nudity whatsoever; as is typical with the Hunger Games movies.
Yes, Hollywood can indeed make an excellent movie without sex or profanity! Who knew?
As for violence, that’s another thing. Though blood is fairly minimal, this is a war movie more than anything.
There are mass deaths and public executions in which the camera pans away just in time before the moment of fatal impact is given.
And as I mentioned earlier, the landscape itself is an open graveyard.
What could have made this movie even darker is if any children were shown being killed. However, it is explained that most children had already died in “an epidemic.”
Therefore, the people who sacrifice their lives as human weapons are all older teens and adults; other than when a hospital is bombed by the Capitol, in which hundreds of injured and dying are instantly wiped out. However, only the bombing of the building from the outside is shown.
With that being said, this movie is for a mature audience. Could a 10 year-old watch this movie?
Ask yourself this: At what age would you be okay with your child watching an edited for TV version of Braveheart or Saving Private Ryan?
This isn’t a kids’ movie. It’s an intelligent, mature film that serves as a political thriller/war movie.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is not a family friendly movie, despite the complete lack of profanity and sexual content.
However, it’s the best movie I’ve seen all year. It’s the kind of movie that is completely worthy of seeing in the theatre.
I believe the message in this movie validates the necessary amount of violence; because ultimately, it gives opportunity for a hero of hope to lead the people to salvation.
Flawless movie, but not intended or suitable for younger viewers. It’s rated PG-13 for a reason.
Thanks for reading my family friendly review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. Come back any time!
