The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Movie Review
Last week I saw The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of this movie all year and it did not disappoint.
About The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire begins as Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (played by Josh Hutcherson). Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, 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 prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy written by Suzanne Collins that has more than 65 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.
If you’ve read the books like I have then you know what to expect from the story. I know a lot of times people that have read the book are disappointed in the movie but I really enjoyed the movie version of Catching Fire. I think they did a great job capturing all of the important parts of the story. However, because so much happens so quickly some of the character development is overlooked. If you’ve read the books it’s very easy for you to understand why certain characters make the decisions they make because you know their back story and personality but for those that haven’t read the book it may be difficult to follow along.
There are so many parts of this movie that I like but I love how it sets up the next movie, the conclusion of the story, the uprising. The 1st Hunger Games movie was an intense ride of emotions that threw you into this world of crooked government and unspeakable evil, but Catching Fire is more of a bridge movie. It pushes the viewer toward the next movie, yet there are many important events that occur in this movie. Exposing reality to those in the districts and the Capitol. Building heroes out of unsuspecting characters. Setting up the perfect opportunity for something very important to happen… in the next movie.
Overall, I really enjoyed the movie and will most certainly see it again soon, but next time Joe will watch it with me. He claims to not care about the story but I know he secretly loved the 1st one.
Catching Fire is playing in theaters.
Rating: PG-13
I received passes to the featured event in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions stated are my own
