Review: The Hunger Games:Catching Fire

Review: The Hunger Games:Catching Fire
*Spoilers Alert
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Official "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" Poster.

       Bigger and Better, 'Catching Fire' improves in almost all the areas where 'The Hunger Games' fell short to provide an amusing and thrilling cinematic experience with the presence of a talented cast.

"Jennifer Lawrence".

"Stanley Tucci" and "Josh Hutcherson".

       After the events of the 74th annual 'Hunger Games', a glimpse of hope was given after the actions of both 'Katniss Everdeen'(Jennifer Lawrence) and 'Peeta Mellark'(Josh Hutcherson) and this hope is being spread all around of 'Panem'. Tyrant leader 'President Snow'(Donald Sutherland) orders the now acting lovers to use their victory tour as a distraction for people from the rage and the seeking to overrule of power. But what nobody knows is that secretly 'President Snow', along with the newly appointed game master 'Plutarch Heavensbee'(Phillip Seymour Hoffman) plans to use the 75th 'Hunger Games' as a trap to get rid of the duo, as well as the previous victors to eliminate the danger. Other characters include 'Haymitch Abernathy'(Woody Harrelson), 'Effie Trinket'(Elizabeth Banks), 'Finnick Odair'(Sam Claflin), 'Johanna Mason'(Jenna Malone), 'Beetee Latier'(Jeffrey Wright), 'Mags'(Lynn Cohen), 'Wiress'(Amanda Plummer), 'Enobaria'(Meta Golding), 'Gloss'(Alan Ritchson), 'Primrose Everdeen'(Willow Shields), 'Cinna'(Lenny Kravitz) and 'Caesar Flickerman'(Stanley Tucci).

"Liam Hemsworth".

"Phillip Seymour Hoffman" and
"Woody Harrelson".

      Ever since the huge success of 'The Hunger Games', which was one of the surprise movies of 2012 even if it had it flaws, many were waiting for the sequel 'Catching Fire' to see if any improvements and surprises could be achieved. And that is exactly what happened, with a bigger budget and a better book interpretation that the first time and a good cast, 'Catching Fire' was able to improve in all aspects that 'The Hunger Games' missed in. What is most interesting about this sequel is that the perspective is changed. As 'Snow' and 'Katniss' puts it in their conversation, 'The Hunger Games' were just games. This time around the stakes are higher both on a personal lever, as well as on the whole system and people's survival. This made the movie have more depth while watching it. When I chatted with a few people who read the book, the realization that the changes made from the book helped with the end with the result was actually satisfying. And the widening of the political aspect of the movie and audience's engagement with the story and characters is a very positive element.

"Sam Claflin".

"Jennifer Lawrence", "Elizabeth
Banks" and "Josh Hutcherson".

      With the change in the director, where "Francis Lawrence"('I Am Legend' and 'Constantine') was brought in to replace "Gary Ross", came changes that improved 'Catching Fire' from its predecessor. Simple changes from the shaky-camera approach, to bigger changes like the set pieces and the overall tone of the  movie brought sophistication. If "Francis Lawrence" wasn't appreciated before, his work on this sequel and hopefully the remaining ones will put him out there as a director who can deliver a great action franchise movie while highlighting a lot of clever character and plot development ideas. Also this time around two Oscar-winning writers penning the script helped with the growth of the story. "Simon Beaufoy"('Slumdog Millionaire') and "Michael Arndt"('Little Miss Sunshine') certainly lived up to the expectations, infusing drama and depth elements that not many expect from such movie genre. Thanks to a bigger budget, improved and astonishing effects and set pieces were possible. Composer "James Newton Howard"('Snow White and the Huntsman') helped up the emotional and action interaction with the audience.

"Lenny Kravitz".

"Josh Hutcherson", "Woody
Harrelson" and "Jennifer Lawrence".

      As I mentioned before, the bigger budget improves the image quality of the movie and help the more serious tone of the movie stand out. As many noticed, the movie was divided into two halves. The first half is the one loaded with important story and character development, where the writers make use of the drama and ideas that the book doesn't necessarily include or make full use of. The second half of the movie is the one full of action scenes and the one that deals with the actual events of the arena. While this was the highlight of the first installment, this time around the first part of the movie was the better. That's not to say that the second part wasn't entertaining and what people were waiting for. But the ability for the writes, producers and director to take this movie as a transition film from an action-teen franchise to a deeper political-action-teen franchise was really impressive. The time frame of the movie was very good. My favorite scenes were: the carriage ride, the different introduction scenes of all the previous victors, 'Katniss''s dress transformation, 'Cinna' and 'Katniss' intimate conversation, and 'Effie''s gifts scene.

"Elizabeth Banks".

"Jenna Malone".

      The cast of this second installment was further bulked up with even more talent, ranging from veteran actors to upcoming and new talents. "Jennifer Lawrence" has furthermore proven herself to be an actress who has the ability to carry a huge franchise on her own. If it were any other actress, she would have fallen flat on her face. Yet "Jennifer Lawrence" was able to perform during the no so developed moments of 'Katniss'. Plus she was able to deliver a more deeper character without confusing us along the way. "Josh Hutcherson" and "Liam Hemsworth" both delivered when needed and I was impressed with the positive changes that the writers made regarding their characters. What I was delighted to see was the toned down emphasis on the love triangle, something we don't often see in similar franchises, knowing that the emphasis on this movie had to be more on the political and emotional charge of the story. "Woody Harrelson", "Elizabeth Banks", "Stanley Tucci", "Lenny Kravitz" and "Donald Sutherland" all prove their ability to deliver throughout the movie and their power to connect with all character. "Elizabeth Banks" surprised me the most and had the most improvement in regards to her characters.

"Donald Sutherland" and
"Phillip Seymour Hoffman".

"Liam Hemsworth" and
"Jennifer Lawrence".

Moving on to the new characters, veteran actors such as "Jeffrey Wright", "Lynn Cohen" and "Amanda Plummer" added depth into their characters, who didn't have much development as the remaining ones. Yet their presence was strong and felt. "Philip Seymour Hoffman" was one of the best additions of this installment. His scenes with "Donald Sutherland" were a pleasure to watch and to see two great veteran actors engaging in that set up was great. The other two great additions of this franchise go to upcoming talents "Sam Claflin" and "Jena Malone". "Sam Claflin" nailed his strong yet vulnerable portrayal of 'Finnick', in the mind of many critics as well as fans of the book franchise. "Jena Malone" also delivered strongly and her scenes were one of the many highlights of the movie. Both of their presence in the sequels will sure add to the movie. As for the remaining supporting actors, such as "Willow Shields", "Meta Golding" and "Alan Ritchson”, they did a good job especially "Willow Shields", who portrayed the growth of her character in a fashionable way.

      Much as 'The Hunger Games' and 'Catching Fire', 'Mockingay Part 1' and 'Part 2' will be much awaited by many and with the names of the actors being casted, this franchise is shaping up to be one of the best franchises of all-time.

Official "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" Poster.

-'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Info:

-Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harelson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Sam Claflin, Jenna Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Lynn Cohen, Amanda Plummer, Meta Golding, Alan Ritchson, Willow Shields and Donald Sutherland.

-Based on: 'Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins.

-Studio(s): Lionsgate and Color Force.

-Directed by: Francis Lawrence.

-Screenplay by: Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt.

-Music by: James Newton Howard.

-Running Time: 146 minutes.

-Budget: $ 130,000,000.

-Box Office: -Domestic(US): $ 424,651,100.

                          -Foreign: $ 439,897,616.

-Ratings: -IMdb: 8.2/10.

              -Rotten Tomatoes: 89%.

              -Metacritic: 75%.

              -PERSONAL RATING: 8.5/10.

-'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Trailer: