As the lights in the theater dim, the screen simultaneously darkens to reveal Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), crouched in the middle of the night in District 13’s underground society, mid panic attack. She rocks back and forth with her head in his hands, frantically attempting to reclaim her identity – stolen by the Capitol, stolen by the Games, and stolen by President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

Part 1 of the final “Hunger Games” was officially released on November 21. It followed “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” with the increasingly popular practice of breaking the final novel into two movies, resulting in a film more true to its written roots and a higher level of frustration (or anticipation) due to the lengthy wait.

Although many fans of the book trilogy rate the “Mockingjay” novel behind both “The Hunger Games” and “Catching Fire”, the movie surpasses expectations and challenges people’s initial perspectives on its rebellious theme. While devouring the series in middle school, I immediately loved “Mockingjay.” Although unfortunately the entertaining time spent in the arena was over, the stage was set for the original and ultimate purpose – the rebellion against the Capitol and the fight to end the political injustice.

The movie captures a plethora of emotions, incites the anger against the Capitol, and grabs the audience with its unforgettable cast, devastating scenery, and haunting music.

Lawrence fails to disappoint as she continues to add depth, passion, and authenticity to Katniss Everdeen’s character. She has become the ultimate face of the “Hunger Games” excitement.

Throughout the film, Katniss broadcasts a series of propaganda videos (propos) that reveals the destruction of homes and murders of the innocent caused by President Snow to the other districts and eventually, to the Capitol itself. Her life-long best friend, Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), and film team led by Cressida (Natalie Dormer) aid her when she leaves the District 13 bunker to create these “propos.”

Katniss’s friendship with Prim (Willow Shields) flourishes despite the constant frustration of her seemingly immortal cat, Buttercup, and she rekindles her romance with Gale. Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) is as witty and sarcastic as ever, only sober; the dramatic Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) wallows in her loss of Capitol fashion; and Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) remains cheerfully optimistic.

However, President Snow is to blame for every plan gone wrong, every demolished district, and every unnecessary death. He continues with his evil spirited actions by holding Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), Annie Cresta (Stef Dawson), and fellow ally Johanna Mason (Jena Malone) hostage, thus severely tormenting both Katniss and Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin).

Peeta’s videos to Katniss urging her to cease fire, in which his rapid transformation into a Capitol robot is painfully apparent, fuel the passion throughout the movie. He is especially touched when he sees and hears her singing “The Hanging Tree,” after which he quickly warns her about the Capitol’s plan to bomb District 13 that night.

Katniss’s propaganda videos spark emotions as well, and inspire various districts to sacrifice their lives to overpower the Peacekeepers because “fire is catching and if [the people] burn, [the Capitol] burns with [them].”

Mockingjay part 1 effectively embodies the rebellious spirit that Suzanne Collins portrays in the novel and leaves fans breathless for part 2, especially after the shocking ending scene of Peeta in an extremely un-Peeta-like state.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1 soundtrack tracklist

01 Stromae: Meltdown [ft. Lorde, Pusha T, Q-Tip, Haim]

02 Chvrches: Dead Air

03 Tove Lo: Scream My Name

04 Charli XCX: Kingdom [ft. Simon Bon]

05 Various Artists: Track 5

06 Raury: Lost Souls

07 Lorde: Yellow Flicker Beat

08 Tinashe: The Leap

09 Bat for Lashes: Plan the Escape

10 Grace Jones: Original Beast

11 Lorde: Flicker (Kanye West Rework)

12 XOV: Animal

13 The Chemical Brothers: This Is Not a Game [ft. Miguel]

14 Lorde: Ladder Song