Release Date: March 22, 2016
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 137 Minutes

Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen, who began her journey fighting to survive the brutal Hunger Games, and rose to lead the rebellion against Panem’s tyrannical president (Donald Sutherland). Now, Katniss and a team of rebels from District 13 prepare for the epic battle that will decide Panem’s future.

The Hunger Games franchise is a worldwide phenomenon earning over $2.9 billion at the box office worldwide with $647 million worldwide at the box office and counting from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. Based on the third novel in Suzanne Collins’ critically acclaimed best-selling trilogy, the must-own limited edition Blu-ray release is packed with over five hours of special features. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.

Also available for the first time as a set on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, The Hunger Games Complete 4-Film Collection includes The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 with all of the special features from each film’s initial release plus hours of all-new exclusive content including 13 never-before-seen deleted scenes from The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and two all-new featurettes: “Picturing Panem” and “Capitol Cuisine.” The Hunger Games Complete 4-Film Collection will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for the suggested retail price of $64.97 and $54.98, respectively.

I have to admit, when I found out that Mockingjay was going to be split into two movies, I rolled my eyes. But now, I can say with complete certainty that Mockingjay Part 2 is my favorite film of the entire franchise. If you’re wondering what the order is beginning with my favorite, it’s Mockingjay, Catching Fire, The Hunger Games, and Mockingjay Part 1.

That said, I don’t believe that anything I say about Mockingjay Part 2 will do it justice. So in my attempt to keep this brief to prevent this review from turning into an unedited rambling essay, I will say that I was in absolute awe of the way that the director Francis Lawrence, screenwriters, and cast handled the character growth for each and every character going through war.

We are at the height of the war in this film and it’s not easy showing on screen how that wears on a person psychologically but boy did this film do such a magnificent job. This in itself is probably the reason why I love this film so much. There’s so much said in the unsaid. While action in an arena is moving, so is this. The emotional resonance here is for me, simply beyond. I was so touched by this film and the journeys these characters took that all I can do is sing this movie’s praises.

I did love the action, loved the wardrobe, the tone of this film, the pacing, everything about this film was absolute perfection. But ultimately, what makes this film so spectacular for me is its firm grip on the realities of this war, this hunger for survival for love for honesty for honor for peace of mind and how it affects everyone around them when it’s time to step up and make the boldest moves they will ever have to make. This film has my heart and everyone who was a part of this film should be so, so proud of what they created here in adapting Suzanne’s work.

Special Features:

Commentary – The commentary is conducted by Director, Francis Lawrence and Producer, Nina Jacobson. If you loved the book/movie, which I know you did, watching the commentary seems like a natural progression so I don’t need to encourage you to do so. That said, I learned just enough to be satisfied but not as much as I thought I would about the making of this movie. So, it’s a solid commentary but perhaps we could have gotten more.

The Hunger Games: A Photographic Journey (10:16 minutes) – if you’ve ever wanted to follow a still photographer on the set, this feature is for you. I know I’ve always wanted as I am absolutely fascinated by and in awe of the work of still photographers. So over the course of 10 minutes, Still Photographer, Murray Close takes us on a journey through the series as he talks about his role on set, how he incorporated himself on set as practically a shadow of the director, how everyone adapted to his presence and to each other over the course of the movie and how that affected the shots that he got. There’s more here and of course this features is intertwined with a great number of his photographs. This is easily one of my favorite features on the blu-ray.

Cinna’s Sketchbook: Secrets of the Mockingjay Armor (9:22 minutes) – In this feature, costume designers, Bart Mueller and Kurt Swanson give us a deeper look into designing Katniss’s armor wardrobe through the eyes of Cinna and the very meta and rare outcome of their work, their sketches making it into the film, as Cinna’s artwork. There are a few details that I didn’t think about before so it was great to watch this knowing that the next time I watch Mockingjay Part 2, I’ll not only spot these details but I’ll know the deeper meanings behind them.

Panem on Display: The Hunger Games: The Exhibition (1:58 minutes) – This is a very brief look inside the touring exhibition where fans could see up close the original wardrobe, props, etc… from the trilogy adaptation. A once and a lifetime experience for sure! This feature will bring nostalgia if you are able to go and jealousy if not! For tickets, click here.

Appearing in This Feature:
Director, Francis Lawrence
Cast Members, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Jena Malone, Willow Shields

Pawns No More: Making The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” 8-Part Documentary (2 hours 21 minutes) – This feature consists of 8 mini behind the scenes featurettes that you can watch individually or play all. The parts are “Walking Through Fire (Concluding the Saga),” “Real or Not Real (Visual Design),” “High-Value Targets (The Acting Ensemble),” “From Head to Toe (Costume, Make-up & Hair),” “Navigating the Minefield (Production in Atlanta, Paris & Berlin),” “Collateral Damage (Stunts, Special Effects & Weapons),” “Tightening the Noose (The Post-Production Process A Different,” and “World (Reflections)” which are already pretty self explanatory by their titles. I love the titles of these by the way. Clever. I really enjoyed all of the features but especially enjoyed a deeper look into the visual effects and post production. If you have the time though, I highly recommend simply playing all.

Appearing in This Feature:
Director, Francis Lawrence
Producers, Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik
Author & Scholastic Publisher, David Levithan
Production Designer, Philip Messina
Director of Photography, Jo Willems
Set Decorator, Larry Dias
Propmaker Foreman, Devlin LaRue
Foreman, Mark Bialuski
Casting Director, Debra Zane
Costume Designers, Kurt Swanson & Bart Mueller
Make-Up Designer, Ve Neill
Special Effects Make-Up, Glenn Hetrick
Lead Special Make-Up Effects Sculptor, Michael O’Brien
Hair Designer, Camille Friend
Make-Up Designer, Nikoletta Skarlatos
SFX Project Coordinator, Erin Draney
Visual Effects Supervisor 2nd Unit Director, Charles Gibson
Special Effects Coordinator, Steve Cremin
Stunt Coordinator, Sam Hargrave
Stunt Double for Katniss – Renae Moneymaker
Property Master, Drew Petrotta
Special Effects Foreman, Brandon Keyes McLaughlin
Film Editors, Alan Edward Bell, Mark Yoshikawa, Jennifer Vecchiarello
Visual Effects Supervisors, Adrian De Wet, David Seager
3D Supervisor, Jeremy Hardin
Visual Effects Producer, Melinka Thompson-Godoy
FX Supervisorr, Rico Dober
Digital Compositors, Travis Porter, Angelica Perez
FX Artist & Rigid Body Simulation Designer, Philip McAuliffe
Lead Sculptor, Dorothy Ballarini
Lead Look Dev/Build Artist, Marieke Franzen
Composer, James Newton Howard
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor, Jeremy Peirson

Cast Members, Josh Hutcherson, Julianne Moore, Sam Claflin, Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, Willow Shields, Jena Malone, Stef Dawson, Elizabeth Banks, Natalie Dormer. Wes Chatham, Jeffrey Wright, Mahershala Ali, Elden Henson, Donald Sutherland, Robert Knepper, Sarita Choudhury, Michelle Forbes, Gwendoline Christie, Eugenie Bondurant, Meta Golding, Patina Miller, Theodore Lawrence, Bear Lawrence, Stanley Tucci, Paula Malcomson

Jet to the Set (41:57 minutes) – Laurie Feltheimer and Carly Steel host “Jet to the Set” a special feature that aired on Pop TV before the film released in theaters. This feature takes viewers to various locations in the Atlanta area where cast and crew filmed much of the trilogy. From The Swan House to The Beach at Clayton County International Park to fun spots the cast frequented while off set and more, this feature is a great guide for anyone planning a trip to Georgia to relive your favorite Hunger Games moments and more.

Appearing in This Feature:
Producer, Nina Jacobson
Set Decorator, Larry Dias
Deputy Administrator INT’L Park, Troy Stubbs
Makeup Artist, Tracey Miller
Hair Stylist, Jerome Allen
Atlanta Style & Fashion Guru, Dwight Eubanks
Jeffrey Store Manager, Don
Location Scout, Trey Neely
The Divergent Series: Allegiant Actress, Nadia Hilker
Cast Member, Patina Miller
Ecco Restaurant General Manager, Christopher Doan
Ecco Executive Chef, Chef Michael Patria
World Champion Archer, Khatuna Lorig
Local Atlanta Reality Star, Nene Leakes

Own The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, or Digital HD today.