Culmination of ‘Hunger Games’ saga fans flames

Bloated with exposition and dulled with inaction, last year’s “Mockingjay-Part 1” was one of the strangest blockbusters ever released. Suzanne Collins wrote three books in the “Hunger Games” series, but Hollywood split the third book into two movies, a decision that resulted in a film that spun its wheels and ended in the middle of its story.

A cynical move. But the good news is that “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2” reminds us of why Collins’ dystopian trilogy caught fire in the first place.

Packed with characters and plot, and given sharp teeth by angry political allegory, “Mockingjay-Part 2” provides a ripping conclusion to Katniss Everdeen’s unhappy arc. Yet the film is most effective in its quiet moments — from war-council meetings led by the slick rebel leader (Julianne Moore) to the eerie sight of evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland) doddering around his rose garden.

As usual, you’ll be lost without having seen the previous films (and even if you have, you might struggle to remember who’s who). Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is still being exploited for propaganda value by the rebels, but she also has a plan to assassinate Snow.

At this point, the film franchise has lost interest in the supposedly urgent matter of whether Katniss with end up cuddling with her old beau Gale (Liam Hemsworth) or her Hunger Games partner Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). That always seemed pretty contrived anyway.

The middle of “Mockingjay-Part 2” is a platoon movie, with Katniss embedded in a combat unit with Gale and some old Hunger Games pals. This is where director Francis Lawrence thrives: the action is abundant, especially a scene involving some underground monsters who attack the group in the sewers below the Capitol. Yikes.

There’s an anti-climax built into the big storming-the-gates scene at the presidential mansion, but that’s because Collins deliberately muddies the waters about who the good guys are. The film has a rather long fade-out, but I think it works — this is a story that can’t end in rah-rah triumph, given the horrors that have unfolded.

The film finds moments for cast members Jena Malone, Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci; but there’s not much to do for Woody Harrelson, even though he still provides pep talks for Katniss. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died during production, shot enough scenes for his character to remain in the mix.

The key to this installment is Jennifer Lawrence, who conveys an unusual amount of gravitas for a youthful heroine. Amid all the stupid character names and sometimes absurd plotting, Lawrence’s serious presence keeps everything grounded. And whatever the future might hold for Katniss Everdeen, let’s hope she gets to crack a smile someday.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2” (3 stars)

The franchise rebounds from the wheel-spinning “Mockingjay—Part 1” with a ripping account of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) taking a final stand against the dictatorship. Wild action and eerie quiet moments make for a satisfying conclusion to Suzanne Collins’ political allegory.

Rating: PG-13, for violence

Showing: Alderwood Mall, Cinebarre Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds Theater, Everett Stadium, Galaxy Monroe, Marysville, Stanwood Cinemas, Meridian, Sundance Cinemas Seattle, Thornton Place Stadium 14, Woodinville, Blue Fox Drive-In, Cascade Mall