'Mockinjay' review; Willow Shields interview

We got the chance to see an advance screening of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1" last week. The movie is amazing, intense and captivating. It isn't as action-packed as the previous movies, because the story takes a more political viewpoint. It shows you exactly the consequence of blindly following authority.

This movie is different from the first two. The first movie starts with the Hunger Games looming over District 12. This almost guarantees two deaths from the population. However, in "Mockingjay, Part 1," a war is looming over all of Panem, which guarantees thousands of deaths. While the first two movies showed only the Hunger Games, "Mockingjay" shows the result of treating the public like pawns on a chessboard -- tiny compared to the plan behind it all. Another difference is that instead of telling the story from Katniss' perspective, "Mockingjay" tells the story from the Capitol's point of view.

One of the best aspects of the movie is character development. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) develops quite a bit. In the first movie, she is lovely and strong in her fiery dresses, making her the "Girl on Fire." She is dangerous but kind. In this movie, she takes on the role of the Mockingjay, the rebels' savior. She is dark, deadly and dangerous. Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) also develops, becoming braver and stronger. Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) matures not only mentally but physically as well. She goes from being comforted by Katniss in the first movie to comforting Katniss in this one. We give this movie 4.5 smiles. It was thrilling and funny, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

After seeing the movie on Friday, we returned to Manhattan on Saturday to interview Willow Shields and then sit in on a news conference with all the "Hunger Games" stars.

You were young when you started in movies. Was there anyone in the cast who was helpful?

Yeah, Jen [Lawrence] on set was awesome. I was 10 when I started, and she was on set with open arms, basically. And she was like, "OK, I am going to be your big sister." We've got a great relationship together. She has always kind of been there for me.

We really liked the scene where you make it to the bunker before it closes. What was it like to film that scene?

SEE PHOTOSWeekend entertainment picks: Movies, music, more

That was like one of my favorite scenes to film because there was a little bit more action. We were soaking wet. The poor cat! I felt so bad for the cat, because I was holding Buttercup and they would say, "Sprinklers on," aMoviesnd all the water would go off and we would be drenched. It was very fun to film and very suspenseful.

Do you think you and Prim have a lot in common?

Her relationship with her sister is amazing, and I have that relationship with my twin sister. She is really a great character, so caring and loving, and she is always there for people. I have really tried to adopt that into my life, too. I sometimes think that Prim is a really great role model because of her caring and kindness toward others.

Who in the cast left the biggest impression on you?

Jen. She was so outrageous, crazy and awesome. . . . She made being on set feel like you were at a sleepover and having fun. But then there was Josh [Hutcherson]. I remember my first day on set. I was at lunch, and it was almost like your first day at school, and you are looking for where to sit. And Josh was sitting at a table and he was like, "Willow come here. Hang out with me, have lunch with me." It was a moment that I remember because it was really sweet of him.

Did you find yourself using the books as a reference?

I reread and reread the books. The more you read them, the more you realize what [author] Suzanne Collins was trying to say, the more you find little details about your character. I reread them a lot and just tried to connect to the character as much as I could.