Comic Con: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part One Preview Event

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Greetings from The Capitol! Today, we got a first look at the new teaser trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART ONE at a media event hosted by Lionsgate and it looks like Katniss is in for one hell of a fight. Before we saw the trailer we were treated to an interactive event at The Capitol Gallery, where you could indulge in treats from Peeta's bakery and drinks from Haymitch's Elixirs (which consisted of assorted baked goods and non-alcoholic drinks – not sure Haymitch would approve) as well as get your picture taken on President Snow's chair with a cool hologram set up with both Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and Johanna Mason (Jena Malone). There were Capitol Guards stationed at each corner, so we had to be careful about whispering anything about a rebellion or a certain mockingjay. I didn't witness any beatings, so everyone must've been on their best behavior.

Capitol Donut, anyone?

Address your constituants…

Move along…

In addition there were models posing in the gallery, which featured the posters we've seen online thus far. The models were dressd in Capitol fashion, which is your standard runway craziness. Two of the models were decked-out in white and did an outstanding job of keeping their composure amidst the pandemonium.

Capitol fashion trends have created a shortage of white face paint…

Finally, after we'd had our fill of concessions and posing with models for pics, we were ushered in to watch the teaser trailer for the film on the Galaxy Tab S inside a private booth. Here's the rundown on that with my thoughts.

The trailer picks up right after the events of CATCHING FIRE, with the hovercraft that picked up Katniss landing in an industrial area. We see the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch talking to President Alma Coin, as played by Julianne Moore, emphasizing the importance of Katniss in the rebellion. However, Coin is fiercely unsure of Katniss as a leader. An unwavering Plutarch has no doubts and we see images of Capitol soldiers storming the districts and battles being fought against civilains (one in a forested area, with people being gunned down by soldiers). We get a quick glimpse of Natalie Dormer as Cressida (with shaved head and tattoos), looking appropriately badass, and a quick look at Gale (Liam Hemsworth), who are both decked out in dark combat attire. We see President Snow talking to his advisors and warning that anyone who mentions the Mockingjay will be dealt with accordingly, which transitions into soldiers rounding up and killing civilians from the districts. We then finally see Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), walking slowly into a large warehouse-type area, a bunch of grungy-looking rebels surrounding and watching her expectantly. The look on her face is that of intense fear. She, too, is dressed in a dark combat outfit, her quiver slung over her back, loaded with arrows. She comes to a stop, facing the rebels, who ask something to the effect of "will you fight with us?" and she says something to the effect of "I will." Titles pop-up, Mockingjay whistles, and we're ready for the "Games" to begin again.

Overall, the trailer makes the film look every bit as big and epic as CATCHING FIRE, if not more so. Lots more hovercrafts flying around and there's a sense of urgency and momentum as this film is where things go from being a simple game to something much, much bigger. It felt like the focus was on two things; the rebellion and Katniss's role in it. Stylistically, it looks like director Francis Lawrence is on top of it with plenty of strong visuals and bold action sequences (lots more explosions here, too). As someone who thought the first film was "okay" and was surprisingly blown away by CATCHING FIRE, this is definitely one that looks worth catching in the theater. For fans that are already sold on seeing it, this teaser will simply fan those flames even more.

We'll share the trailer here when it makes its online debut and you can catch THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART ONE when it hits theaters on November 21, 2014.

Clearly, I have no sense of Capitol fashion.