"Stay alive."
A year after winning the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson) are preparing for their victory tour of the districts. They are supposed to distract the districts and continue to act in love. Rebellion is in the air and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) makes it very clear that there is a price to messing up the tour.
After the tour, it is time to prepare for the 75th Hunger Games. Since it is Quarter Quell, there are new rules: this year, the victors will compete again. Once again Katniss and Peeta are chosen to enter the Games. They are joined by heartthrob Finnick Odair (Claflin), bitter Johanna Mason (Malone), and other favorites. Can they forge alliances and survive the games, or are the stakes too high?
As I mentioned in my post about the first Hunger Games film, I loved the books by Suzanne Collins. This book was my favorite, and I was excited to see what the new director (the first was directed by Gary Ross) would do. Francis Lawrence and the writers brought the world of the book alive. They really highlight the difference between life in the Capitol and life in the Districts.
Like the first film, they add some elements to the film / story, mostly with conversations between Snow and the Game Makers. It adds an element that wasn't necessary in the books, but just enhances the film. Once again Jennifer Lawrence brings an intensity and likeability to Katniss. Elizabeth Banks is funny, and and more dimensional, in the film (love her costumes). The rest of the returning cast are great, and the new people are welcome additions. Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Snow White and the Huntsman) is the perfect choice for Finnick, which I did not expect. I love Jena Malone as Johanna and look forward to seeing her more in the next films. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is great as Heavensbee.
The effects are better here, but the fights are less memorable. The film ends at the right moment and leaves you anticipating the next film (the third book is being split into 2 films: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2). It will be interesting to see how they handle the next 2 films... there is some heavy material and it could be hit-or-miss on screen. This was a solid second effort, an improvement from the first and still an enjoyable ride.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) 146 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language
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
Jeffrey Wright as Beetee Latier
Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee
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