The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 Blu-ray ReviewPosted by Wilson Morales
March 6, 2015
Out today on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand is Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, which has takens in nearly $333.2 million at the domestic box and over $2.2 billion globally.
Starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the film also has a boatload of talent including Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Elden Henson, Patina Miller, and Natalie Dormer.
Based on the best-selling third novel of Suzanne Collins’ award-winning trilogy, with a screenplay by Peter Craig and Danny Strong and directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 reveals that the rebellion is growing. Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived and is recovering from the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell deep inside the bunkered catacombs of District 13. Separated from some of her closest allies and fearing for their safety in the Capitol, Katniss finally agrees to be the Mockingjay, the symbolic leader of the rebellion. Still uncertain as to whom she can trust, Katniss must help District 13 rise from the shadows, all the while knowing that President Snow has focused his hatred into a personal vendetta against her-and her loved ones.
For anyone who has seen the previous two films, there’s a lot packed in the Blu-ray combo, which is always good to get because when one doesn’t want to miss out on anything that was left on the cutting room floor and not make in theaters. If you have friends who still don’t own a Blu-ray player, it’s good to have both on hand. Like most home releases, the deleted scenes are usually the first thing most want to see and here, there are 9 of them. We’re not talking an extra 30 seconds or extended scenes. There are some meaty scenes that could have made the cut but ultimately was left on the disc for diehard fans to see.
The second best thing is “Straight from the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman,” who passed away not long after he filmed his scene. For some, it’s an emotional gut wrenching experience when we know how great a talent we lost and to see the actor share their fondest memories will make you have the tissues nearby.
With a total of five hours of packed stuff that’s listed below, there’s enough time to watch all in its entirety over the course of a weekend. You either liked or hated Lorde’ music when you first heard it, so it’s your discretion if you want to see the Yellowflicker video. If you are truly a diehard, you will enjoy the commentary and most have something interesting to say, especially if you have reads and were curious about certain changes made in the film.
DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES**·
•”The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of Mockingjay – Part 1″: 8-part feature-length documentary·
• “Straight From the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman” featurette
• “Songs of Rebellion: Lorde on Curating the Soundtrack” featurette
• “Yellow Flicker Beat” – Lorde music video
• Deleted Scenes
• Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
•Sneak Peek of The Divergent Series: Insurgent
BLU-RAY COMBO PACK SPECIAL FEATURES**·
•”The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of Mockingjay – Part 1″: 8-part feature-length documentary·
• “Straight From the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman” featurette
• “Songs of Rebellion: Lorde on Curating the Soundtrack” featurette
• “Yellow Flicker Beat” – Lorde music video
• Deleted Scenes
• Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
•Sneak Peek of The Divergent Series: Insurgent
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES**·
• Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
• Deleted Scenes
•Sneak Peek of The Divergent Series: Insurgent
Deleted Scene – I’m Not Asking
Deleted Scene- Face a Revolution
