The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) Movie Review

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (2013) MOVIE REVIEW

When going into this film, I wasn't expecting great things as I didn't care much for the first one. After seeing this one however, I never thought I would say it is one of my favourite films of 2013.

Taking place after the events of the first Hunger Games film and book, Catching Fire once again revolves around our two protagonists from District 12, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). After their simultaneous victories in the previous Hunger Games, the Capitol sees them as a threat as this victory causes different acts of rebellion from all the districts across Panem. Because of this, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip-Seymour Hoffman) decide to eradicate their kind by choosing the victors from previous Hunger Games to compete in the 75th annual games. As a result, Katniss and Peeta must now find a way to stop Snow and Heavensbee's plan all while preparing for their inevitable enlistment into the 75th Hunger Games. While I have read the first book, I never got around to Catching Fire and Mockingjay, so I cannot say whether it is reliable or not. For the most part however, I felt the story was exactly what I wanted from the first film, though never really got enough of. And that is the political side to the Hunger Games. In this film, it shows how this battle to the death affects not only the entry, but their loved ones and even complete strangers. Overall, the story was incredibly compelling and showed it's strongest elements, which is the political aspects, and uses them to the absolute limit. 

Still of Donald Sutherland and Philip-Seymour
Hoffman

One of the reasons I did not enjoy the first instalment in this money grabbing franchise was because of the actual Hunger Games. I felt that the violence was toned down too much as although it is a PG-13 film, I'm sure you can get away with one or maybe even two semi-graphic scenes of violence. In this film, while the toned down violence is still incredibly apparent, the violence was much more cringe worthy than just simple blood and limbs everywhere. Me personally, I have always preferred violence and both mentally and biologically affects a victim, which they take full advantage of. For example, in the previous film, the most violent scene for me was when the wasp of bees killed one of the tributes, which wasn't really that violent to begin with. In Catching Fire, some of the violent scenes used include a poisonous acid cloud, monkeys which rip someone's throat out, electrocution, drowning and even the sounds of loved ones being tortured. Yep, that's defiantly an improvement. Anyhow, another aspect I felt that was lacking from the first film was the humour. While there was humour in it, none of it really stuck with me when I left the theatre. Like most things in this film, it is the complete opposite as the comedy in Catching Fire is just hilarious. When a dramatic event has just occurred, much in the same vein of Joss Whedon productions, it seemingly transitions into a joke without any awkwardness to it. This managed to happen so often that I was actually convinced that the script was on the calibur of that of a Joss Whedon. By the way if you don't know, Whedon is the director of The Avengers, just for comparison purposes. 

Still of Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson and
Jennifer Lawrence

As for the acting, I was not surprised by it one bit. When you have A-List actors like Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci and Philip-Seymour Hoffman in the film, you know the acting is going to be spectacular. Jennifer Lawrence ultimately has to carry the film as the film revolves around her character, and thankfully, she once again carries the entire film and will unsurprisingly carry the franchise. Jennifer is without question my favourite actress in Hollywood at the moment as when she needs to be a badass, she's a badass. When she needs to be dramatic, she's dramatic and when she needs to be comedic, she just be's herself. Josh Hutcherson also did a really good job and an even better job then he did in the first one as he just seemed more like a 3-Dimensional character and not just their for the plot. Speaking of this, the relationship between Katniss and Peeta I actually bought in this film as in some scenes, one in particular, Katniss really does show how much he actually does care about Peeta, all the while still in love with Gale. Also, that brings me to another thing about the film. I loved how they managed to utilize Gale more into the story as in the first film, it seemed like he was just there. In this movie, it actually shows through the actor's emotions how angry he is and how in love with Katniss he is. Other actors who were great in their respective roles include Stanley Tucci as the energetic host Caesar, Lenny Kravitz as Katniss' stylist Cinna, Woody Harrelson as the drunken mentor Haymitch, Elizabeth Banks as the polar opposite of Haymitch Effie. Out of everyone however, I felt that a new addition into the film managed to shine amongst all these great actors and characters. This person is Sam Claflin as Finnick. Watching this film I was more or less like "This guy is the smarmiest douchebag I have ever seen", and that's why I love him. I love how cocky and positive he is in a fight to the death. Thankfully, he is an ally of our heroes so we are all safe. Overall, the acting was almost perfect and managed to show off some known and unknown talent.   

Still of Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair

Overall, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire showed me to literally never judge a book by it's cover. This film had majority of things I love in a film. Comedy, action, drama, political aspects and rebellion. For some reason I knew 2013 was going to be a good year for films, I just didn't know it would come out and show me in the form of a Hunger Games film. And because of this film, I am now a fan of the critically acclaimed book and films. Bring on Mockingjay!

OVERALL: 8.8/10