'What can you see?'
'Hope.'
Straight hot off the screen is the new second instalment
from the movie series The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. It is
surprising that in this case, the latter appears to be just that bit more
impressive than the former. Visually breath-taking and with a certain flair for
the dramatic, the film picks up the pace and flies off with it.
The film continues to follow Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer
Lawrence) after her victory in the 74th Annual Hunger Games,
alongside her fake beau, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), as they embark on
their victory tour around all the districts in Panem. Soon however, Katniss’
new found symbol of hope forces President Snow to become weary of an uprising,
so he thrusts a weary Katniss back into the games in a 75th Annual Hunger
Games (also known as the Quarter Quell), which is made up of previous victors.
Also back is third member of the love triangle, Gale, (Liam Hemsworth) and
Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), who returns to rally her team from District
12. Also along for the journey are Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and designer
Cinna, (Lenny Kravitz), whilst ruthless dictator President Snow is portrayed by
Donald Sutherland. Some of the key tributes in the latter part of the film are
Finnick Odair (Sam Claflik), Mags (Lynn Cohen), Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), Beetee
(Jeffrey Wright) and Wiress (Amanda Plummer), who help Katniss along with her
journey.
Lawrence (Jennifer) sparkles on screen as the symbol of
rebellion herself, Katniss Everdeen; electrifying the audience’s attention and
making sure that all eyes are on her (literally). It is questionable as to
whether the film would prove to be made of such a sound infrastructure without
Lawrence being there to hold everything together, but nevertheless, all the
actors put in a fine performance, which helps to unify the struggle that each
character is facing.
What’s more obvious in this film is the level of devastation
and the impact and consequences violence has. Everything is kicked up a notch,
the events more ruthless and emotional, and the depth of the characters
explored further and presented more complexly. We see Katniss once again at
possibly an even more vulnerable level; everyone is thrust into the scenes of war
and rebellion, and with that comes violence and death, which the film certainly
deals with.
A more emotional, and thought-provoking piece than the first, it
masterfully gets the audience involved, and feeling the flames, the burn and
the heat that the districts feel. It would seem that Francis Lawrence’s film
does what it says in the title; it ‘catches fire,’ both in the literal sense,
but also in the way it is able to ignite a certain sense of thrill into its
audience, not only for the characters on screen but also engages with the
darker, more political plot that underlines the film.
For the most part, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a
gripping and thoroughly entertaining piece of cinema, whose only flaw is that
it perhaps overruns too much; the 146 minute running time can drag on for even
the most eager viewer. However, the film’s overall more intimate and personal
themes of plight and struggle, put forth a greater meaning to viewers, and
provide a more substantial source of material for director Lawrence to work
with. This in turn is executed superbly, managing to grip and intensify the
situation for all involved, both on and off screen.
Exceedingly darker and devious, and overall more rebellious
and violent, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire serves to remind everyone who the
real enemy is.
4.5 stars
Reviewed by Mel.
4.5 stars Reviewed by Mel.
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