The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)

This series really has exceeded all expectations I had for it when it began and while this might be the weakest of the three, I suspect a large part of that was just that the complete narrative envisioned when the third book was written was chopped in half.

Hunger's a hard way for Hoffman to halt. Moore misses the mark, Lawrence lingers on her laurels.

Great mesh between the propaganda and horrors of war times while still holding onto that Hunger Games visual flare. They're doing a good job of building up to the conclusion but it's a shame that it's been cut in half.

Moving the focus from the games to the rebellion is a satisfying transition. Suffers from the same narrative challenges as the Hobbit in that you miss a true conclusion. Also has some overt sensationally emotional moments - but those are expected and easily forgiven.