Tags
2010's, Action, Amanda Plummer, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Francis Lawrence, Jeffrey Wright, Jena Malone, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Lenny Kravitz, Liam Hemsworth, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Claflin, Science Fiction, Stanley Tucci, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Woody Harrelson
Film Title
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Director
Francis Lawrence
Starring
- Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
- Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
- Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
- Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
- Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
- Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair
- Jena Malone as Johanna Mason
- Donald Sutherland as President Snow
- Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee
- Jeffrey Wright as Beetee
- Amanda Plummer as Wiress
- Lenny Kravitz as Cinna
- Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the second film of The Hunger Games series. Following on from the groundwork set by the predecessor, it emerges as a smart, darker and more thought-provoking film. Featuring an excellent cast, a relatable heroine in the form of Katniss Everdeen as played by Jennifer Lawrence and some amazing visuals, Catching Fire is an sci-fi/action movie with brains that still delivers the goods.
After surviving the 74th Hunger Games by threatening to kill themselves, Katniss and Peeta return to District 12. They are paraded around as victors, but Katniss is having trouble adjusting to life again. Although seen as a beacon of hope by many, she is plagued by horrific nightmares of what she had to do in order to survive. The corrupt President Snow senses rebellion is brewing as a result of Katniss’ defiance. He blackmails Katniss into saying that the reason she survived was her ‘love’ for Peeta, when in actual fact she did it to enable their safety. He threatens to kill those most dear to Katniss if she doesn’t comply with his actions, including her good friend Gale, who has feelings for her. Although he wants Katniss dead, he employs the help of the enigmatic Plutarch, a man working on the Games. Plutarch suggests using a special version of The Hunger Games in order to relinquish rebellion. In this version of the games past victors can be chosen and sure enough Katniss and Peeta are both selected for the brutal games. As the games begin, Katniss must ally herself with some of the other skilled competitors in order to emerge alive from the carnage that will follow.
Taking over the reins from Gary Ross, Francis Lawrence crafts a darker, smoother movie than the first. Whereas Ross favoured use of kinetic shaky cam, Francis Lawrence utilises more fluid shots to create a sense of journey and the uphill battle to stay alive. The special effects employed in Catching Fire are marvellous in execution, especially the various obstacles that are thrown the way of Katniss. These include tidal waves, birds that mimic the screams of a loved one and some seriously vicious and brutal baboons. The score provided accentuates the struggles, pain and horror that befalls those competing. One flaw could be the length of the film as it does drag in places, but overall the running time is appropriate.
What gives Catching Fire its thought-provoking edge is the cast of it. Jennifer Lawrence once again is phenomenal as the heroine Katniss Everdeen. Lawrence lets us glimpse the emotional scars she suffered that she hides behind her strong, armour like demeanor. As a result, Katniss emerges a multi-dimensional character, alternately strong and capable but also caring and vulnerable. It is Lawrence’s performance that gives the film its heart. Josh Hutcherson rises to the challenge by being given more to do as Peeta than in the last movie. Liam Hemsworth follows suit with a more expanded role. Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks are both on fine form as the returning mentors to Katniss and Peeta. Newcomer Sam Claflin is charming as the capable contestant Finnick and Jena Malone is a stubborn, sullen but moving presence as Johanna. Donald Sutherland is gleefully nasty as the corrupt President Snow, while Philip Seymour Hoffman works well with his enigmatic role . The ever-reliable Jeffrey Wright provides the brains as the techno wizard and Amanda Plummer is delightfully kooky as his wife. Lenny Kravitz is touching as the sympathetic stylist to Katniss and Stanley Tucci is a hoot throughout.
Combining thrilling action, interesting parallels with the subtext of media manipulation and well-drawn characters, Catching Fire proves itself as a successful sequel and great movie in its own right, spearheaded by the evocative and strong performance of Jennifer Lawrence.
jjames36 said:
Agreed. I think this one is actually superior to the first.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I’ve heard a lot of people saying that it surpasses the first one.
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CMrok93 said:
Nice review Vinnie. Can’t say I liked this more than the original, but you know what? It was still fine and well-worth the watch, especially since I can’t wait to see what goes down next in these upcoming movies.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Dan, I was thinking the same thing when the movie ended. I’m now super excited for the next film in the series.
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stephen1001 said:
Nice review – the only one I’d seen so far was this one from the onion (http://www.theonion.com/video/the-onion-reviews-the-hunger-games-catching-fire,34637/) – which was funny, but not terribly informative! I’m a big Stanley Tucci fan, glad to hear he delivered yet again and it sounds like it was well cast all around.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, the cast is really good in this one and the characters are interesting.
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stephen1001 said:
It was probably my favourite of the 3 books, not sure who I pictured playing Katniss when I was reading it a few years ago but I think Jennifer Lawrence has been an excellent choice.
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Tim The Film Guy said:
Good Review 😀
Great pic of Katniss there!
It was a great film, really liked it a lot. Thought it was a fantastic improvement over the first, and I cannot wait for the next one, especially after that ending 😀
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for your comment, that ending has really got me excited about what to expect from the next movie.
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Tim The Film Guy said:
Your welcome and so am I!
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alexraphael said:
Really great review. I especially liked the way you compared their directing styles. I can remember seeing Josh Hutcherson in Bridge to Terabithia so great to see him with such a high profile role. But yes, I doubt anyone in Hollywood could play Katniss better than Jennifer Lawrence.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, I can’t imagine anyone else playing her now.
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Teepee12 said:
There’s a reason I didn’t read the book and why I won’t see the movie. I don’t like the story. I didn’t like Lord of the Flies either. Some stories just bother me. This is one. But it’s a great review.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, sorry to hear you don’t like the series.
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Zoë said:
LOVED this movie!
Nice review!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Zoe.
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thomasjford said:
Nice one Vinnie, I haven’t managed to watch it yet, but I saw the first one and was surprised how much I liked it (Jennifer Lawrence played a big part in that!)
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, Jennifer Lawrence is so good in these movies.
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Abbi said:
Great review. It’s going to be very interesting to see what they do with the third one because I found the book a lot weaker than the first two.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Abbi, I’m curious to see the third one as well.
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Lights Camera Reaction said:
Nice review! Tucci is always great. So nice to see Jenna in films again. I always forget she was in Stepmom haha. She definitely stole the film for me, I loved her.
Film was good, my favourite book out of the three.
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vinnieh said:
Yeah, Jena Malone was a highlight for me as well.
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