Movie Review
Review The Hunger Games : Catching Fire
One of the most anticipated movies of the year, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" doesn't disappoint. Taking place right after the events of the first movies, Katniss and Peeta are a symbol for hope against the Capitol. Katniss is a lot more emotionally volatile this time around, which makes sense because she's been through a horrible experience and her troubles are only just beginning.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), the winners of the 74th Annual Hunger Games, have returned home. Katniss has turned into a symbol of hope for the people who are beginning to rebel against the totalitarian government of the Capitol under President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Katniss and Peeta's return home is short lived as they embark on a Victor's Tour around all the districts paying their respects to the falling tributes. Despite Katniss's love for Gale (Liam Hemsworth), she is forced to continue with the farce surrounding the media coverage of her relationship with Peeta. Effie (Elizabeth Banks) and Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) join Katniss and Peeta as advisers during the tour. President Snow recognizes that Katniss has become a symbol of hope for the people outside of the Capitol and therefore has a surprise for the upcoming Quarter Quell (the 75th Annual Hunger Games). He announces that for this special event a male and female tribute winner from every district will have to compete against each other in this tournament of champions. Katniss and Peeta are the chosen tributes from District 12 who will face other tributes in a special arena designed by the new Head Gamemaker, Plutarch Heavensbee (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). Other tributes include Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) and Johanna Mason (Jena Malone) who form an alliance with them. President Snow is planning on crushing Panem's new symbol of hope, but Katniss will do what it takes to survive and protect her loved ones.
Jennifer Lawrence shined again as Katniss, acting at about the same level, if not higher, as she did in the first. It really felt like this for the rest of the characters, with a slight bump. The new characters were great, and of course my favorite was Johanna played by Jena Malone. She was the kind of character that shocked you at first and really made you wonder where her alliance was after. Sam Claflin is flawless in every other regard and you can be sure that the teenage girl part of the audience will stifle a giggle in at least one instance, as it should be. Stanley Tucci steals every scene he's in as always, Woody Harrelson is outstanding as he was last time, and Donald Sutherland does a great job again as well. Liam Hemsworth once again was god-awful, and the romance sequences in these movies are terrible. Francis Lawrence now handles the series. The camera may be less shaky, but there's always a sense of art in his direction, especially at the midst of silence. The pacing is effortlessly outstanding, which decently balances the drama and the thrills. The games has become a lot electrifying, it is more practical and have greater effect of danger than just characters trying to kill each other. It's a creative turn that goes full momentous until the end. The production and the effects are solid enough to make the exteriors of their world look intriguing.
Undeniably 'Catching Fire' has more complex story than the previous movie. It isn't only about the game but also about rebellion from community who against the Capitol. Half an hour of the movie is about Katniss and Peeta doing Victor's Tour to districts and continued with conflict amongst them. Just don't expect too much that battle in the arena would be so fun like in 'The Hunger Games', the game is a little bit strange this time but it's revealed at the end of the movie.The arena scenes are amazing and the special effects are spot on. The spectacle is louder and bigger, definitely more spectacular, yet its heart beats strong with passion and plenty of emotion. When they get back into the games with the other tributes, the movie picks ups the pace. The action picks up and you finally get to learn a little more about the other tributes who had won the games previously.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first one you will enjoy this one.
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