The much anticipated premiere of part one of the final story in the Hunger Games trilogy has hit the theaters.

Following the trend that seemingly all big franchises are going with these days, the Hunger Games trilogy decided to split the last movie into two separate parts, just as the Harry Potter and the Twilight series did.

During the first installment of the Hunger Games finale, we find Katniss now in District 13, facing recovery from the Quarter Quell. Meeting many new key characters in the series, and finding out more of a back story to many returning faces, this movie sends the series into a new realm.

The  all-star cast returns with familiar faces Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and Donald Sutherland, reprising their roles as Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Gale Hawthorne, Haymitch Abernathy, and President Snow respectively.

Along with the returning veterans came a  minor character, brought forth in a major role, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, in his second to last role before his untimely death. Finally, new to the cast is screen veteran Julianne Moore as President Coin, leader of District 13.

Though the movie benefits from superb acting, amazing effects, and a storyline that keeps your eyes glued to the screen, the movie does follow the typical Hunger Games format. Know that Mockingjay is split into two movies, so the crowd should anticipate that the  first one is mostly formulaic plot development.

There are many action scenes sprinkled through the movie, but most of the movie is setting up the plot and introducing the new characters. However, this does not take away from the overall strengths of the movie.

In the end, Mockingjay Part One is definitely a film to see, long live the Mockingjay!