Let’s face it, Mockingjay Part 1 was terrible. But the book is always better right? Wrong. The book was not much better. However, Part 2 was much better than I could account for.

In the conclusion of The Hunger Games franchise, Mockingjay Part 2 immediately picks up after the third film, with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) dealing with the aftermath of Peeta’s (Josh Hucherson) strangle attack on her. Seeing his brokenness, Katniss is determined to be more than the face of the rebellion, she wants to be on the front lines of the battlefield and put an end to President Snow. But troubles arise when Katniss and her team travel deeper into the Capitol, encountering deadly traps called pods.

This installment has a lot more action than the first part ever have. Part two gives the audience the reminder of why they fell in love with Katniss in the first place. Seeing her in action with her bow, and watching her loyalty play out on the big screen brings back the glory that was present in Hunger Games and Catching Fire.

Reading the book was like reading through one of those mirrors that makes you look funny. I could understand it, yet the way the story and the environment was presented was messy and unrecognizable. In the movie, the visual effects where stunning. And I felt like the book was in extreme high definition.

Now I’m not saying this was the best movie in the world or in the franchise (it’s Catching Fire, obviously). The pods scenes with their black, scalding oil and demonic creatures are pretty vicious and heartbreaking for the losses of favorite characters. It had some down sides to it, but it is bittersweet to see the final fast forward and see a series that influenced pop culture so dramatically end so suddenly.

All in all, the movie was enjoyable to watch. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be shocked, and you wish something different should have happened. I have been there and I will continue to do that. Goodbye Hunger Games and may pop culture be ever in your favor.