THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE Review: Last year, audiences were introduced to a film that brought in another franchise that came from the pages of a book. That was The Hunger Games, which was about teenagers who were put into a background and force them to kill each other as well as trying to survive in the environment until only one was remaining. It proved a success with critics and audiences thanks to the story, action, and particularly the singled out performance of rising star Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. It also offered something fresh for adaptations of fictional books. Previous works like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings contained magic and other fantasy elements, while The Hunger Games was a more grounded film. Now we get to the sequel, Catching Fire. After being fed four attempts to make another franchise (all of which failed due to poor box office runs), we finally get to the one that people are actually looking forward to. The only other book adaptation other than Catching Fire is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which isnt going to be anywhere near as highly awaited as its predecessor was. The marketing has made it pretty clear that things were going to change this time around. While The Hunger Games was dark on its own, it ups the ante here. There are more dangers in the games that take place, the opponents are stronger and more experienced, and Katniss also faces opposition from the Capitol. The plot comes into place soon after the events of the 74th Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) return to their home in District 12. However, because of the the defiant actions Katniss used to win the game, she has inspired rebellion among the other districts against the Capitol. Because of this, she and Peeta are forced to continue to pretend to be in a relationship. Meanwhile, President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland) wants to bring harm to Katniss. He threatens that if she doesnt go along with his plans, he would make sure that everyone she loves is killed. When at the Victory Tour to the other districts, any attempts to sympathize with the families of the tributes who were killed and the responses from the audiences would cause people to be killed by Capitol guards in order to suppress a possible rebellion. Snow and gamemaker Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) also seek to ruin Katnisss image among the people. And then Katniss and Peeta are to participate in the Quarter Quell, which is held once every twenty-five years. As they are facing tough enemies, they will also have to make friends to have a better chance at survival while also braving numerous dangers. Just like its predecessor, Catching Fire is something that would have been R-rated material if the violence hadnt been sanitized for a PG-13 rating. A lot of people die or are tortured in an unpleasant fashion. Things also look not as bright. In the previous film, the rich people wore brightly colored clothing and makeup. But here, the costumes are given darker colors. There is also a lot more at stake here than in The Hunger Games. Katniss has difficulty dealing with what she went through in the games and having to go along with what the Capitol tells her to do despite her desire to do otherwise. If ever she spoke words of kindness over the loss of their loved ones, there would be violence. She also suffers nightmares and hallucinations. Her only sources of comfort are her family and her friends, Peeta, Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and Haymitch (Woody Harrelson). The love story is also handled well. While its more undertone than that of Twilight, its more believable than anything that took place between Bella, Edward and Jacob. Gale and Peeta actually try to help Katniss and are there for here instead of pining for her affections. They care more about her happiness and her safety than trying to see who will get her in the end. The other aspects of the film are also done really well. The production values are really good by giving us a lush jungle setting in the games, the well crafted costume designs, and even the visuals are good as well. Much like in The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence is the highlight of the film. Things are really looking good for her career thanks to her Oscar-winning role in Silver Linings Playbook and playing Katniss. But her performance is also improved on as Katniss tries to deal with the aftermath of the previous film. She does a great job showing a more tortured form of her character. The returning cast does good as well. Josh Hutcherson improves on his performance and shares decent chemistry with Lawrence. Woody Harrelson is funny as always and he steals every scene hes in. Donald Sutherland gives a good performance as President Snow, giving off a threatening vibe while appearing to be calm. Liam Hemsworth is given a little more to do and Elizabeth Banks is pretty much the same. But there are plenty of newcomers joining the cast. The most particular being Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Claflin and Jena Malone. Philip Seymour does a really good job with his role. Sam Claffin and Jena Malone are really good additions. Claffins character brings a certain amount of charm to the film while Malone brings in a character who is quite sassy but also very tough. Catching Fire ends on a cliffhanger. And what happens in the end foretells that a lot of things will come with Mockingjay, which is being split into two parts (like what was done with the final books for Harry Potter and Twilight). It also leaves me awaiting the next chapter in this franchise. I just hope that it doesnt mess up with the two parts since its being made from a less than four hundred page book. But on its own terms, Catching Fire is a sequel that proves better than its predecessor. Its engaging, the acting is good, and it raises the stakes. Catching Fire will most likely be the best adaptation well be getting this year since the upcoming Hobbit sequel probably wont measure up. May the odds be ever in this franchises favor. RATING: 10/10 NEXT TIME: Frozen
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 06:24:31 +0000