The Hunger Games has proven itself to be one of the biggest and most lucrative cinematic franchises of today. Its last film, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, was not only a box office juggernaut, but also one of the most critically acclaimed movies of last year. Now, with the first teaser trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, excitement for the post-apocalyptic series is at an all-time high. You have the drama, the action, and Jennifer Lawrence. That’s all you need in a trailer.

The teaser opens with Plutarch Heavensbee, played by the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, stating that for this new rebellion to be successful, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) needs to be at the forefront of it. President Coin (Julianne Moore), the de-facto leader of the rebellion, is unsure of Katniss’ mental stability, and states that she believes the events within the Hunger Games have left her broken.

The trailer cuts to Katniss walking through a warehouse filled with refugees and freedom fighters. A brief glimpse of Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) as the tattooed warrior Cressida can be seen during Katniss’ walk through the masses. A young rebel finally stops and asks Katniss if she’ll fight with them. She nervously responds that she will.

It’s obvious that Mockingjay-Part 1 is ratcheting up the drama and violence in this installment. The trailer features images of warfare and mass executions being carried out by the tyrannical Capital’s faceless storm troopers. President Snow, (Donald Sutherland) makes a brief appearance outlawing the use of the Mockingjay symbol, explaining that death will be the punishment for those who choose to display it.

As excited as I am for Mockingjay-Part 1, I’ve heard from numerous Hunger Games readers that the third novel, which this film is based on, is the weakest book in the series. Having not read past the second book, I feel a slight twinge of apprehension, especially with the final story being split into two movies. Still, Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, I Am Legend) is back in the directing chair, and is credited with much of the success for the last film. If anything, I just hope they manage to tell an entertaining story that capitalizes on the talent involved with the production.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 opens November 21, 2014.

What about you reader? What do you think of the latest trailer? Let us know in the comments below!

