The producers and filmmakers of "The Hunger Games" were smart to cast Jennifer Lawrence as the protagonist Katniss Everdeen.

Prior to the first installment, "Hunger Games" (2012), Lawrence distinguished herself with a break-out actress Oscar-nominated performance in "Winter's Bone" (2010).Lawrence received an actress Oscar for "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012), was a supporting actress Oscar-nominee for "American Hustle" (2013) and has dazzled as Raven-Mystique in "X-Men" (2011, 2014)."The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1" puts Lawrence front and center as she takes on the mantle of the title, the Mockingjay, groomed to lead the rebellion against the Capitol.No more televised games for "Mockingjay." This time, it's all-out war.Katniss' love interest and partner in the Hunger Games contest, Peeta Malark (Josh Hutcherson), appears on Capitol TV, a seeming willing puppet spouting the Capitol line during interviews by Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci, who with far less screen time is far less flamboyant yet no less the sycophant) broadcast throughout the districts, including the District 13 bunker where the rebels are hunkered down, led by President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore, who has a more prominent role).There are many intended or unintended parallels to Realpolitik in "Mockingjay." There's an Isis-style execution of three rebels. There's the destruction of a hydroelectric dam. There are Skype-like screen interchanges between Panem President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and Katniss. The rebels hack Capitol TV with their own propaganda films. A rebel TV crew coaches and prompts Katniss as the poster girl for the rebellion.While Capitol leaders are portrayed as despicable, the rebels don't come off as very likable, either.It's to Lawrence's credit that her acting skills convey this dichotomy. Here, with long, dark hair (a wig) and deglammed makeup (if any), Lawrence appears younger than her 24 years, a teenager as befits her part, that of a 17-year-old.Lawrence has an impassive doll-like face, with big eyes and soft lips, and a strong woman's stance that comprise a full range of emotions that fill in the blanks in dialogue and plot.Liam Hemsworth is notable, too, for his noble bearing as Katniss' friend Gale Hawthorne. As with Lawrence, he elevates the material above its often cartoonlike quality.Add to this: Moore's efficient abrasiveness, Sutherland's haughty certainty, Woody Harrelson's street-wise charm as Haymitch Abernathy, Jeffrey Wright's brainy pronouncements as Beetee and the confident deliberations of Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee and you've got a "Hunger Games" that won't upset most moviegoers that there's also a Part 2.Francis Lawrence (director, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" and "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2," in post-production and set for release for the 2015 holiday season) directs "Mockingjay" at a deliberate pace, providing a balanced mix of dialogue and action scenes."The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1" is a solid serving that should satisfy fans of the Suzanne Collins' books while leaving them hungry for more."The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1," MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material; Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction; Run time: 2 hrs., 3 min.; Distributed by Lionsgate.Credit Readers Anonymous: "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1" is dedicated "In loving memory of" Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died one week before Parts 1 and 2 filming concluded. During closing credits, Lorde sings "Yellow Flicker Beat" and Jennifer Lawrence sings "The Hanging Tree." After the credits, the Mockingjay logo appears and catches fire.Box Office, Dec. 3: "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1" was again at the top of its game, No. 1 three weeks in a row, with $21.6 million, $257.7 million, three weeks. "Penguins of Madagascar" continued at No. 2, with $11.1 million, $49.5 million, two weeks.3. "Horrible Bosses 2," $8.6 million, $36 million, two weeks; 4. "Big Hero 6," $8.1 million, $177.5 million, five weeks; 5. "Interstellar," $8 million, $158.6 million, five weeks; 6. "Dumb and Dumber To," $4.1 million, $78 million, four weeks; 7. "The Theory Of Everything," $2.6 million, $13.6 million, five weeks; 8. "Gone Girl," $1.5 million, $162.8 million, 10 weeks; 9. "The Pyramid," $1.3 million, one week; 10. "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)," $1.1 million, $18.9 million, eight weeksUnreel, Dec. 12:"Exodus: Gods And Kings," PG-13: Ridley Scott directs a retelling of the Biblical story. Christian Bale, Ben Kingsley and Sigourney Weaver star in the adventure drama."Inherent Vice," R: A Los Angeles detective, a former girlfriend and the 1970s. It's said to be a comedy. Of course, since Paul Thomas Anderson directs Jena Malone, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin and Joaquin Phoenix."Top Five," R: Chris Rock writes, directs and stars in the comedy about a comedian actor trying to become a serious actor. Art imitates life? Adam Sandler, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Hart and Gabrielle Union co-star.Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press web site, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times News website, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6 6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, and wdiy.org, where they're archived. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@ tnonline.com. You can follow Paul Willistein on Twitter and friend Paul Willistein on Facebook.Two Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes