Film Review: Final ‘Hunger Games’ is an action-packed buffet

The “Hunger Games” franchise comes to an end with the fourth entry, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2,” directed, like the last two, by Francis Lawrence (“I Am Legend”). Once again, Lawrence comes through, although we need to give props to Gary Ross, who set the template as director of the first film. Lawrence also has the advantage of Ross’ original cast, all of whom return (except, of course, those whose characters have died). Also returning are the actors Lawrence added in his earlier episodes — even the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died halfway through the shooting.

“MJ2” opens with Katniss in District 13, with the Rebels under the leadership of the shifty and manipulative presidential wannabe Coin (Julianne Moore). Their strategy is to get control of District 2, which will put them right next to the Capitol, the seat of power and home to the 1%. From there, a small band (including Katniss, natch) will sneak into the Capitol to take out the fabulously creepy President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

The group also includes both of Katniss’ current or potential love objects — Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and Gale (Liam Hemsworth). This is a more complicated setup than most love triangles, since Peeta has been brainwashed by Snow’s forces to hate Katniss. The whole brainwashing thing has taken its toll on Peeta, who’s basically barking mad.

While there’s plenty of good work from Woody Harrelson, Hutcherson, and the others, Jennifer Lawrence is front and center throughout, and — big surprise — she’s perfect. Some day she’ll screw up, but in the meanwhile, she’s continuously amassing the karmic right to do so.

The other performance that stands out is Sutherland, whose face conveys layers of Snow’s complicated personality; notably, as his power drains away, Snow goes from merely cynical and nihilistic to barely suppressed giddiness. Sutherland makes that shift a delight to watch.

Because the mostly one-on-one action in the first “Hunger Games” has led to bigger and bigger confrontations, “MJ2” has much more big action. The conflict has built from individual to group to full-on war. So prepare yourself for battles, huge explosions, airstrikes and rioting mobs. Also, if you’re squeamish, you might ready yourself for the sudden appearance of CHUDs (Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers), who look just like their counterparts in Neil Marshall’s “The Descent.”

The film’s one problem is some murky exposition. During the big battle, things get confusing for the audience. This might be deliberate, since things are totally confusing for our identification figure — Katniss — as well. But frankly it’s a little irritating.

Much of the dialogue resembles the recent posturing by candidates, pundits and the political class in general. Among other things, the Capitol has a burgeoning immigrant crisis, as the war forces much of the populace to flee their homes. Snow’s rhetoric could be straight from cable news; and the good guys aren’t much better.

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ANDY KLEIN is the film critic for Marquee. He can also be heard on “FilmWeek” on KPCC-FM (89.3).