The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Review

Rated PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Violence and Action, Some Frightening Images, Thematic Elements, a Suggestive Situation and Language)

Running Time: 2 Hours & 26 Minutes

Cast-

Jennifer Lawrence-Katniss Everdeen

Josh Hutcherson-Peeta Mellark

Liam Hemsworth-Gale Hawthorne

Willow Shields-Primrose Everdeen

Paula Malcomson-Mrs. Everdeen

Elizabeth Banks-Effie Trinket

Woody Harrelson-Haymitch Abernathy

Lenny Kravitz-Cinna

Philip Seymour Hoffman-Plutarch Heavensbee

Stanley Tucci-Caesar Flickerman

Toby Jones-Claudius Templesmith

Donald Sutherland-President Coriolanus Snow

Patrick St. Esprit-Romulus Thread

Sam Claflin-Finnick Odair

Lynn Cohen-Mags

Jena Malone-Johanna Mason

Bobby Jordan-Blight

Jeffrey Wright-Beetee Latier

Amanda Plummer-Wiress

Alan Ritchson-Gloss

Stephanie Leigh Schlund-Cashmere

Bruno Gunn-Brutus

Meta Golding-Enobaria

Elena Sanchez-Cecelia

John Casino-Woof

E. Roger Mitchell-Chaff

Maria Howell-Seeder

Directed by Francis Lawrence

Katniss Everdeen finds herself fighting for survival once more in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."

Note: Screened on Monday, November 18, 2013 at AMC Empire 25.

'Hope—it is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective…a lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained.' After winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games alongside fellow tribute Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen inadvertently becomes a symbol of hope among the twelve oppressed districts of Panem in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,"  the highly-anticipated sequel to Gary Ross' critically-acclaimed 2012 hit. Based on a trilogy of dystopian science fiction novels from author Suzanne Collins, the original "Hunger Games" was made for only $78 million, a relatively low production budget compared to other would-be blockbusters but the odds managed to be in Lionsgate's favor as the film had devoured a gargantuan $691.2 million worldwide by the end of its theatrical run. Its $152.5 million opening weekend easily eclipsed (pun definitely intended) all of the "Twilight" films, setting a new record for highest debut ever for a non-sequel. With excellent reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), the studio fast-tracked "Catching Fire" (which had already been green-lit eight months prior to the first film's release) into production but the tight schedule forced Ross to drop out as director. Replacing him is Francis Lawrence, whose work has been somewhat of a mixed affair. Out of the three films he's made, only 2007's "I Am Legend" stood out due in large part to Will Smith's strong performance. Fans were rightly concerned but they can put their worries to rest now. Excellently expanding on the source material's thought-provoking and subversive themes while also upping the stakes, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is one of those rare sequels that manage to surpass its predecessor in almost every way.

Emerging as the victors of the 74th Annual Hunger Games, fellow tributes Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) return home to District 12—the poorest sector in the totalitarian nation of Panem, which rose from the ashes of a post-apocalyptic North America following an unspecified catastrophic event in the far future. However, Katniss and Peeta's reunion with their family and friends proves to be short-lived as the two must then embark on a 'Victory Tour' across all of the districts. Before the tour officially begins, President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland), the ruthless autocratic leader of Panem, pays Katniss a visit and expresses his outrage for her act of defiance that allowed her and Peeta to win. As he leaves, Snow makes a veiled threat toward her best friend, Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), whom she has feelings for. Pretending to be madly in love for their adoring public in the Capital, Katniss and Peeta reunite with their alcoholic mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and gaudy chaperone Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) during the Victory Tour but unrest brews within the oppressed districts. Knowing that Katniss has become a beacon of hope, Snow plots to destroy her with the aid of new Game Maker Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman). As the 75th Annual Hunger Games—also known as the Quarter Quell—commences, Snow announces that the tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors in a brutal effort to crush the fires of rebellion that Katniss' actions had inadvertently sparked.

Like comic books, adapting young adult novels for the big screen has become all the rage in Hollywood but for every "Harry Potter" and "Twilight" that makes billions of dollars, there's a "Beautiful Creatures" and "Mortal Instruments" that flop at the box office. The reason "The Hunger Games" succeeded where others have failed is because it offered moviegoers something exciting and new, with the film managing to grow beyond its fanbase and appeal to those who weren't overly familiar with the source material. Detractors will continue to complain of its similarities to the 2000 Japanese film "Battle Royale" and while that's true to a certain extent, Kinji Fukasaku's violent and controversial action thriller was a cult classic that was never going to attain the widespread exposure that "The Hunger Games" now enjoys. For audiences, Gary Ross' adaptation of the 2008 Suzanne Collins novel was the first time they've seen a story like this. Given the critical and commercial success of the original film, expectations were at an all-time high for "Catching Fire." So many things could've gone wrong but not only did Francis Lawrence build upon its predecessor, he improved on it. Only a handful of sequels ("Aliens," "The Dark Knight") have accomplished such a rare and difficult task. In spite of its two hour and twenty-six minute running time, "Catching Fire" is pitch-perfectly paced with emotional stakes that will leave you impatiently yearning for the final two installments.

I had read the first novel prior to seeing Ross' film but this time around, I made a conscious decision to go into the sequel completely blind. Scripted by Academy Award-winning writers Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt (credited under the puzzling pseudonym 'Michael deBruyn'), "Catching Fire" immediately sets itself apart from the original with its decidedly darker and more cynical tone, finding our young heroine suffering from severe posttraumatic stress disorder due to her harrowing experience at the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Katniss' blatant act of defiance, where she was fully prepared to commit suicide alongside her fellow tribute Peeta rather than give Panem's totalitarian regime the satisfaction of another victor, has sent ripples across the nation's twelve districts. Unrest with the government is slowly building up toward open rebellion, forcing President Snow to use increasingly brutal methods to maintain his control over the populace. There's a great scene in the first film where Snow explains to Seneca Crane the reason why they hold the Hunger Games every year. Rounding up twenty-four people and executing them would be easier and faster but it effectively turns them into martyrs. The Games exist to give the districts a small measure of hope, which is violently taken away by forcing the citizens to watch their own children being killed. This potent commentary of suffering as mass entertainment for the rich is smartly built upon when Snow decides not to kill Katniss but to completely destroy what she stands for through the Quarter Quell. One aspect that I really enjoyed is the concept of celebrity within this dystopian sci-fi world. It eerily mirrors our own as Katniss and Peeta's 'star-crossed romance' has captured the hearts and minds of those living in the Capitol while dehumanizing tragedies are all but virtually ignored. I love the way the story has these characters try to use their celebrity status to undermine Snow, from Katniss' wedding dress transforming into a mockingjay in a blaze of fire to Peeta's surprise announcement that she's newly pregnant with his child, which ironically incites the crowd at Caesar Flickerman's show to call for the Games to be cancelled! This is contrasted with the harsh ugliness that now grips Panem in the wake of the 74th Annual Hunger Games, where even the smallest acts of defiance are met with instant executions and public whippings.

The love triangle that has now become a staple of young adult fiction is handled in a mature manner in spite of the characters being teenagers. It achieves an emotional resonance that is light-years ahead of the groan-inducing petulance that was at the center of the "Twilight" series. Katniss' feelings for Gale stem from them being childhood friends but she also owes a huge debt to Peeta, whose presence gave her the necessary strength to ultimately win the Hunger Games. For her, it's not about who she loses her virginity to; it's about forming a human connection when every day is a battle for survival, whether it's for food or in an arena. The two men may long for Katniss but they also understand the reality of their situation. Rather than waste time engaging in pointless competition, they instead support one another and are not only prepared to die for the woman they love but for each other as well. It's this noble selflessness that defines Katniss' relationships with Gale and Peeta, which is a breath of fresh air compared to other young adult franchises that rely on some shallow interpretation of 'love.'

It's obvious that Francis Lawrence is a director-for-hire here but that's actually to the film's advantage. While nothing has really changed stylistically, Lawrence does eliminate the shaky cam approach that characterized the first film, allowing the action in "Catching Fire" to feel more fluid as it quickly moves from one set-piece to another. There's still a bloodbath when all the tributes rush toward the Cornucopia, now located in the middle of a circular lake, but there's less focus on the brutality among the contestants. Instead, the tributes must contend with an hourly series of deadly obstacles designed by Heavensbee. This includes a poisonous fog that result in painful boils when coming in contact with skin, vicious mutated monkeys, 'jabberjays' that psychologically torment the tributes with screams of their loved ones, and drowning the tributes with a torrential rain of blood. Lawrence keeps the tension at an all-time high without losing sight of the character-driven drama and a sense of hopelessness pervades the Quarter Quell as Snow gleefully watches the tributes slowly become demoralized. The violence definitely pushes the boundaries of its PG-13 rating but it serves not to entertain but to emphasize the brutal callousness of Panem's oppressive regime. If there are any flaws in "Catching Fire," it's the film's structural similarity to the original. However, this is due to Collins' playwriting background, which taught her to write in a three-act structure. The ending, although true to the source material, is also somewhat abrupt but it does leave you anticipating the final two installments.

Most of the cast bring their A-game as if this was a prestige picture. Fresh off her Academy Award win for Best Actress in last year's "Silver Linings Playbook," Jennifer Lawrence continues to excel with her captivating portrayal of Katniss Everdeen, adding layers of emotional depth as her character struggles to deal with the physical and emotional trauma of competing in the Hunger Games while also becoming a symbol of hope for the oppressed citizens of Panem, a status she'd rather not have due to the danger it puts her family and friends in. Much has been said about Lawrence's down-to-earth demeanor and it is that quality that allows her performance to feel so genuine. Josh Hutcherson is just as strong in the role of Peeta Mellark, whose love for Katniss goes beyond a mere boyhood crush. This is someone who has a defined sense of loyalty and respect, and it's these two traits that Hutcherson derives when conveying his character's intense devotion to his fellow tribute. Woody Harrelson and Lenny Kravitz perfectly capture the mentor relationship their characters share with Katniss and Peeta but one of the bigger surprises is Elizabeth Banks, who lends Effie a more human side without betraying who she is. Banks also has some of the funniest scenes in the film as Effie effectively acts as Katniss and Peeta's publicist. The other surprise is Sam Claflin as District 4 tribute Finnick Odair. He at first comes off as extremely unlikable with his arrogant self-confidence and cocky personality but Claflin slowly reveals that there's more to Finnick, that he isn't just the shallow pretty boy that Panem's media makes him out to be. Jeffrey Wright brings a calm gravitas to tech wizard Beetee while the beautiful Jena Malone adds some much-needed spunk to axe-wielding tribute Johanna Mason. Veteran actors Donald Sutherland and Philip Seymour Hoffman are excellent as always in their antagonistic roles. Finally, there's Liam Hemsworth and he is…fine. Don't get me wrong; his performance is miles ahead of the one he gave in "Paranoia" but being merely adequate just isn't enough when everyone around you is challenging themselves in new ways.

To be released on November 22, 2013, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" has so far received overwhelmingly positive reviews with 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics are hailing it as 'a thoroughly compelling second installment in the Hunger Games series' thanks to its 'smart, smoothly directed, and…deeper exploration of the franchise's thought-provoking themes.' Judging from its enthusiastic response at Monday's advance screening, "Catching Fire" is pretty much guaranteed to be a box office success and has a strong chance of surpassing "Iron Man 3" as the highest grossing film of the year. Many sequels fail to live up to the promise of their predecessors but "The Hunger Games" might be one of those rare franchises that continue to get better with each successive installment. "Catching Fire" easily cements itself as one of the best films of 2013 and will leave you fuming with rage that "Mockingjay—Part 1" won't arrive until November 2014.

Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5

"Katniss, when you're in the arena…you just remember who the enemy is."