CREDIT: LIONSGATE
Jennifer Lawrence reprises her role as Katniss Everdeen in the November blockbuster The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1.

Katniss Everdeen. The Mockingjay. A human and a symbol, desperately trying to save those she loves in a world full of injustice, cruelty and manipulation.

The third installment in The Hunger Games saga The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 shows a new side of Katniss and of Panem. Finally outside of the games, the movie moves on to the greater political struggle between President Coin, leader of District 13 and the rebellion – played by Julianne Moore – and President Snow (Donald Sutherland), leader of Panem and the Capitol.

From beginning to end, this is a different style of movie than the previous two, focusing far more on the propaganda, psychological manipulation and subtle social tactics needed to keep a people complacent or stoke them into rebellion.

This is a fight between two vastly uneven forces, with almost everyone becoming little more than pawns desperate to survive. Despite the intellectual leanings of the movie, there are still a number of action- packed scenes, often followed by the most touching moments.

Jennifer Lawrence remains iconic in her role as Katniss, drawing the audience in with her simple desire to just put down the sword – or bow – and let other people handle the world-changing decisions.

Her emotional range and ability to fill the viewer at turns with hope and despair is a marvel. The other actors play their parts amazingly well, with Josh Hutcherson (as Peeta Mellark) standing out the most, portraying incredibly subtle shifts in personality and health as the movie progresses.

Elizabeth Banks, who plays Effie Trinket, does an excellent job in a role that is expanded from the books, again demonstrating compassion while maintaining a vain and frivolous front.

Natalie Dormer, in her role as the director Cressida, finally gets away from her type-casting of sexy ambitious lady – Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones and Anne Boleyn in Tudors – and becomes a callous, determined idealist with her eye on the perfect shot.

The only character one might complain about is Gale Hawthorne – played by Thor’s younger brother Liam Hemsworth – who has the least interesting personality of any character in the entire franchise and is constantly burdening Katniss with his “why don’t you like me” teen drama and comes across as being unnecessary and slightly annoying.

It’s easy to feel bad for Hemsworth, who was stuck playing the worst character in the entire series and the fact that Jennifer Lawrence ate tuna and garlic before any kissing scenes likely made the entire experience terrible for the poor man.

Even this is just nitpicking, however, as there is very little to say that’s negative. There are beautifully clever allusions to the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, all of the fighting and explosions are realistic, and even the nameless peripheral characters manage to tug on heartstrings.

For what can seem at times like yet another retelling of the old Alliance versus Rebellion story, Mockingjay – Part 1 manages to add a human element without forgetting the bigger picture.

This movie holds its own in an incredible series, and there’s nothing to do now but wait with bated breath for the finale.