Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Movie Review


Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends such as Gale (Liam Hemsworth), embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.


The Quarter Quell is a special game that occurs every 25 years. In this Quarter Quell the reaping will come from the pool of victors causing Katniss and Peeta to have to compete again. Effie (Elizabeth Banks) and Haymitch (Woody Harelson) work together to keep Katniss and Peeta alive during the tour and the new Hunger Games. It is necessary to see the first movie to understand the series, sorry.


My Thoughts:

My one pet peeve of this series is that no one looks like they are starving. The audience that has not read the books do not quite grasp how important food is to the districts. People are literally dying in the streets from hunger. Also I noticed that the full explanation of what happened to District 13 is not really explained. It is mentioned briefly that it no longer exists but not what happened to it or that people believe it still exists and it is a place to escape from the influence of the Capitol.


Katniss pulls the typical yo-yo between Peeta and Gale which leaves the audience wanting to scream at her to stop doing what she is doing. She continues to make poor decisions that hurt those around her throughout the whole movie. Just once I want a young adult female lead that is strong from beginning to end and does not whine too much.


Lawrence does pull of Katniss’s stubborn disposition quite well throughout the movie. She also does a fantastic job when she visits District 11, the home of Rue. She tears up and a riot breaks out resulting in an old man being shot execution style in front of the crowd. It is heartbreaking to see but it did not make you cry like the Best Man Holiday, or maybe I just did not have any tears left because of that movie.


The arena is well done and puts the tributes through their paces. They die off quick and in fun ways and are forced to face some bad obstacles to survive. When watching the movie you always question if you could survive in this matter if you were forced. I want to say I would do what it takes but I guess when the day comes that is the only way to truly know. Some great twists and turns and allegiances are made known in the arena.


This movie ends with a cliff hanger and you are left wondering what exactly will happen next. It looks like the next installment of the series Hungers Games: Mockingjay will be broken up into two parts and with the first hitting theaters in November 2014. I look forward to the next installment.

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