Mockingjay Part 2 Trailer Analysis

This week Lionsgate dropped the first official trailer for Mockingjay Part 2, the final Hunger Games film.

Okay, so MAYBE it’s getting a little old that every book-to-film franchise has to drag things out as long as possible. But after The Hobbit films I could do with a palette cleanser in the form of some violent sci-fi/feminist dystopia. (In which case at least I have Mad Max to tide me over til November…)

While Mockingjay Part 1 ended up as a bit of a drag after an exciting marketing campaign, Part 2 looks to be pulling out all the stops for the franchise’s last hurrah. So let’s take a closer look at what the rebellion has in store for us:

Annie and Finnick’s Wedding

The trailer opens up on a positive note. It looks like this scene will follow the books by having Finnick wed his lady love in District 13. We also see the propaganda crew filming it for broadcast. This gives the people of 13 a rare chance to enjoy leisure, as well as defying the Capitol by showing citizens in a happy moment.

It’s also worth noting that Finnick and Annie is basically the only OTP the fandom can agree on. At least it puts an end to the bickering between Team Peeta and Team Gale.

Katniss Looking Glammed Up

“I can’t make another speech,” complains Katniss, but then kinda makes one 30 seconds later in the trailer anyway. Go figure.

We see the star of the show in her Mockingjay battle armor once again, designed for her by the late Cinna for the rebellion. We know from the conclusion of Catching Fire that a revolt had secretly been in the works for years, but lacked a figurehead to galvanize the districts as well as the Capitol’s defectors. At least until Katniss came along. And by Katniss’ side is her old tribute escort, Effie Trinket. I’m going to guess that the makeup we see Katniss wearing while armored up is Effie’s idea. Perhaps they’re setting up to shoot another propo.

We also see Katniss in this getup marching down a Capitol road, readying an arrow at a target we don’t see…

(Ed’s Note: Eagle eyed viewers can catch a glimpse of GEEKPR0N writer Karinna in the crowd in this scene)

…and it looks quite similar to the street ridden by tributes in their pre-Game parade from Catching Fire…

Considering that she’s likely dolled up for the cameras as well as the significance of this road, could this be the famous scene where she’s tasked with performing an execution? (Although my book buddies know how well that turns out…)

Gwendoline Christie

The Warrior Maiden of Tarth has been making herself busy with Sci-Fi lately. We know she’s showing up in the new Star Wars, and now she’s in Panem to help with their war. Word has it she’ll be playing Commander Lyme, a rebel leader from District 2. Although a minor character, Katniss recognizes her as a Games victor and Career Tribute from some generations ago.

She’s got a hard stare going on here, but so would you if you survived giant murder contest as a child.

District 2 is also of high strategic importance to the rebellion: as the district closest to the Capitol in both geography and politics, eliminating the regime there and winning over the rebels is the last piece of the puzzle for the resistance to move in on the Capitol.

Traps in the Capitol

In what looks like the most intense version of ‘The Floor is Lava’ of all time, the strike on the Capitol doesn’t go so peachy. We see a trap, similar to those in the Games to keep things spicy, causing a wave of tar-like substance to flood the streets. It shows that the Capitol has had time to prepare for attacks within and without while Katniss was bickering with rebel command.

The Game’s Not Over Yet

Some fans may complain that an elderly Canadian guy doesn’t make a convincing evil dictator, but considering the state of politics here right now, I’d probably take Snow over Stephen Harper. President Snow himself continues to be totally fabulous despite the uprising raging on. But, we will see things aren’t well with him under that rosy persona. Both he and Finnick make talk about how the Games are not over, and continue via the war. This addresses how even as the hero of the people, Katniss is still treated as a pawn in District 13’s plans.

Whom will be the victor of the war for Panem? Find out when Mockingjay Part 2 drops on November 20th.