The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (12A) sees the final face off between President Snow and revolutionary leader Katniss Everdeen.

Having rallied much of the nation of Panem's downtrodden population behind her, Katniss and her friends must fight their way through the Capitol and its many dangers to assassinate the President and bring the war to a close.

But is she willing to sacrifice her loved-ones' lives to secure freedom for Panem? And is this fourth movie in the franchise a satisfying end to the series?

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What is it about?

The action picks up with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) preparing to lead the newly united districts of Panem into battle against the government, alongside District 13 president Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), childhood friend Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) and sister Primrose (Willow Shields).

Convinced that only the death of Panem's leader can bring about victory, the revolutionaries launch an assault on President Snow's city stronghold, braving various deadly booby traps and vicious creatures known as mutts.

It quickly becomes clear that not everyone will return from this mission, and Katniss wrestles with the responsibility of putting her friends in harm's way for the greater good.

Who's in it?

Oscar winners Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men First Class, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle) and Julianne Moore (Boogie Nights, Still Alice) return as dauntless heroine Katniss Everdeen and crusading District 13 president Alma Coin respectively.

They are joined on the stellar cast list by the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Magnolia, Capote), Liam Hemsworth (TV's Home And Away, The Muppets), Natalie Dormer (Game Of Thrones), Sam Claflin (The Riot Club) and Josh Hutcherson (Bridge To Terabithia).

Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect) and Woody Harrelson (TV's True Detective, Natural Born Killers) round out the credits.

Is it worth a watch?

4/5

If you're looking for a bright and breezy popcorn movie, give this a miss. Relentlessly bleak from the first frame, this final outing pulls no punches as white knuckle action sequences see the casualty rate rise alongside the tension.

The decision to split the final book in author Suzanne Collins' trilogy into two meant that the previous film was light on action, but the result is a last chapter that grips from the beginning, as Katniss and friends face mortal threat after mortal threat.

Jennifer Lawrence holds everything together with another measured performance as the reluctant leader who must choose between her friends' safety and the cause.

There are minor failings - the death of a major character is not as affecting as it might be - but on the whole director Francis Lawrence should be applauded for not wavering from the series' downbeat willingness to focus on serious themes while targeting a teenage market.

Where can I buy tickets?

Odeon , Cineworld , Vue and Reel cinemas are now taking bookings for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2