The Hunger Games: Catching Fire review

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE:

NOT JUST A FINE SEQUEL TO ITS 2012 PREDECESSOR, BUT A GREAT FILM ADAPTION OF THE BEST-SELLING NOVEL!

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** 1/2 out of 4

LIONSGATE

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are back in the arena in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

            Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Josh Hutcherson (Epic, Zathura, The Kids Are All Right) are back in the arena as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the latest chapter of the Hunger Games saga, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, based on Suzanne Collins’ best selling novel. Just like its 2012 predecessor, The Hunger Games, the film is edgy, dark, and full of intense action and shocking twists that will keep audiences at the edge of their seats, so not only is this a fine sequel but as an adaption of the original book, it’s done rather well, it stays focused on the original story and offers a pretty accurate film version.

            Shortly after the events of The Hunger Games, we find the tributes of District 12, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) on a Hunger Games Victor’s Tour to all the districts of Panem. Along the way Katniss senses a rebellion is being formed, but the Capitol is still in control as President Snow prepares for the 75^th Annual Hunger Games, a competition that could change Panem forever.

            Once again Katniss and Peeta get roped into participating in the games, but this time the games have changed, big time and they might need something more than good archery skills and wits to get home, but with the help of their supportive team, Effie (Elizabeth Banks-Catch Me If You Can, Spider-Man trilogy, The 40 Year Old Virgin), Cinna (Lenny Kravitz-Zoolander, Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire), and Haymitch (Woody Harrelson-Zombieland, A Prairie Home Companion, 2012), the brave tributes of District 12 might be able to see the light of day once more.

            Overall The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a great sequel to the previous Hunger Games movie. It’s darker, edgier, and a little more intense than the last film, also there seems to be more going on in this flick than the first.

            Most of the elements from the book are present here in the film, and yes, I have read the book, so fans of Collins’ novel will most likely enjoy the movie adaption. Plus fans of the first movie, who are curious to see the saga continue might enjoy it too, the action is great, the performances are decent, the screenplay is accurate to the original novel, and the set and costume designs are fantastic.

            The film is also great filler for the next Hunger Games film, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, which will be back-to-back sequels for 2014 and 2015, trust me it’ll get you excited once the film ends.

            It’s truly something worth seeing on the big screen…IMAX if possible.