The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
(B or 3/4 stars)
The 2nd 'Hunger Games' movie has arrived ... watch out for a stampede at the multiplexes! This screen adaptation of Catching Fire, the 2nd book of a wildly popular Young Adult series, offers many of the same elements that made The Hunger Games as compelling (if flawed) as it was. But this time, the budget looks bigger. And though there's still a condensed feel (from the books), there IS a richening of themes & more emotional depths as the characters navigate bleaker destinations (literally & figuratively). The film begins with Katniss Everdeen (now Oscar-winner, Jennifer Lawrence) & fellow winner, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), embarking on their influential victory tour. Sounds fun, right? Not so for Katniss; who can't mend her emotional scars of having defeated (killed most of) 22 people in the last go-around. She doesn't feel heroic; rather, she's broken inside. She can't even connect with her secret boyfriend, Gale (Liam Hemsworth).
As pawn of the totalitarian government, Katniss has become the means by which the destitute Districts can be stabilized. Having won the last Hunger Games, she & Peeta's "love" is used as a beacon of hope for the Districts. But the Districts don't believe their romance is true & have become increasingly rebellious from their corrupt government. Not pleased with Katniss' limp attempts to prove to her adoring public that she really loves Peeta, President Snow (an evil Donald Sutherland) does 2 things: 1) uses inhumane methods on his people so as to keep the peace & prevent a loss of power. And 2) initiates the 75th Hunger Games ... with a twist. THIS Hunger Games will include all prior winners in a battle-to-the-death. That means Katniss & Peeta return to battle; and are understandably devastated.
The goal, agreed-to by Pres. Snow & his new chief game-runner, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is to stack the deck against Katniss so as to negate her as a symbol of both freedom AND rebellion. In other words, kill her. Once the games begins, Katniss finds herself allied with other players from the 13 Districts, such as the athletic Finnick (Sam Claflin); the angry loner girl, Johanna (Jena Malone); the nerdy Beetee (Jeffrey Wright); and, of course, loyal Peeta. But the game is harder than last year's: poisonous gas, rabid monkeys, electrocuting invisible force fields. Furthermore, Katniss she has to wonder if her so-called "allies" are really aiding her. Is she destined to forfeit her life for Peeta? Or will he lay down his life for her? Will Pres. Snow succeed in exterminating Katniss? Or is there someone set to foul up his plans? The film ends with a steely-eyed cliffhanger that left me momentarily disappointed, yet wanting to see what happens next.
Much like the 1st Hunger Games film last year, the tone is relatively cynical & grimly tragic (death, totalitarian government, Big Brother scenarios). And all of that is magnified even more so in this movie. Though many young people died in 'The Hunger Games', we rooted/cheered/hoped for Katniss to win. But in 'Catching Fire', we see the toll that those deaths has taken on Katniss, and any victory that may be won here will likely result in the death of either she or Peeta.
To say Katniss is strong is an understatement. She must sacrifice love for Gale. She must leave her family AGAIN. And she must fight for hers & Peeta's lives. Jennifer Lawrence imparts that strength, along with vulnerability, emotional frailties, & amazing physical prowess in this role. She's great. Plus ... the camera loves her. Donald Sutherland conveys menace with an unsettling calm. Elizabeth Banks has some affecting moments as wild-wigged Effie. Josh Hutcherson continues to appeal. Any time he was in mortal danger, my theater gasped - that shows you how effective he is, here. Philip Seymour Hoffman brings subtle ambiguities to his Plutarch Heavensbee. And the trio of Jena Malone, Sam Claflin, & Jeffrey Wright give nice characterizations to small, but pivotal roles in the story.
Yeah, everything about this 2nd film is just a little bit better than the okay, but flawed 1st. I couldn't stand the shaky camera technique of the 1st film ... it's gone this time around. Francis Lawrence steps in as the director & improves upon Gary Ross' helming. The script here is co-written by Oscar-winning Simon Beaufoy & Oscar-nommed Michael Arndt. The sets, costumes, make-up, & special effects are all superior, as well. If I have reservations about this movie, there are 2. 1) it takes quite a time to 'get going'. Thankfully, it's pretty kick-ass by the last 45 minutes. And 2) though I am invested in the characters/situations, I still feel that the movie lacks some heart. But overall, 'Catching Fire' is a big step-up from the 1st film & is successful in making me anticipate the next film.
As pawn of the totalitarian government, Katniss has become the means by which the destitute Districts can be stabilized. Having won the last Hunger Games, she & Peeta's "love" is used as a beacon of hope for the Districts. But the Districts don't believe their romance is true & have become increasingly rebellious from their corrupt government. Not pleased with Katniss' limp attempts to prove to her adoring public that she really loves Peeta, President Snow (an evil Donald Sutherland) does 2 things: 1) uses inhumane methods on his people so as to keep the peace & prevent a loss of power. And 2) initiates the 75th Hunger Games ... with a twist. THIS Hunger Games will include all prior winners in a battle-to-the-death. That means Katniss & Peeta return to battle; and are understandably devastated.
The goal, agreed-to by Pres. Snow & his new chief game-runner, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is to stack the deck against Katniss so as to negate her as a symbol of both freedom AND rebellion. In other words, kill her. Once the games begins, Katniss finds herself allied with other players from the 13 Districts, such as the athletic Finnick (Sam Claflin); the angry loner girl, Johanna (Jena Malone); the nerdy Beetee (Jeffrey Wright); and, of course, loyal Peeta. But the game is harder than last year's: poisonous gas, rabid monkeys, electrocuting invisible force fields. Furthermore, Katniss she has to wonder if her so-called "allies" are really aiding her. Is she destined to forfeit her life for Peeta? Or will he lay down his life for her? Will Pres. Snow succeed in exterminating Katniss? Or is there someone set to foul up his plans? The film ends with a steely-eyed cliffhanger that left me momentarily disappointed, yet wanting to see what happens next.
Much like the 1st Hunger Games film last year, the tone is relatively cynical & grimly tragic (death, totalitarian government, Big Brother scenarios). And all of that is magnified even more so in this movie. Though many young people died in 'The Hunger Games', we rooted/cheered/hoped for Katniss to win. But in 'Catching Fire', we see the toll that those deaths has taken on Katniss, and any victory that may be won here will likely result in the death of either she or Peeta.
To say Katniss is strong is an understatement. She must sacrifice love for Gale. She must leave her family AGAIN. And she must fight for hers & Peeta's lives. Jennifer Lawrence imparts that strength, along with vulnerability, emotional frailties, & amazing physical prowess in this role. She's great. Plus ... the camera loves her. Donald Sutherland conveys menace with an unsettling calm. Elizabeth Banks has some affecting moments as wild-wigged Effie. Josh Hutcherson continues to appeal. Any time he was in mortal danger, my theater gasped - that shows you how effective he is, here. Philip Seymour Hoffman brings subtle ambiguities to his Plutarch Heavensbee. And the trio of Jena Malone, Sam Claflin, & Jeffrey Wright give nice characterizations to small, but pivotal roles in the story.
Yeah, everything about this 2nd film is just a little bit better than the okay, but flawed 1st. I couldn't stand the shaky camera technique of the 1st film ... it's gone this time around. Francis Lawrence steps in as the director & improves upon Gary Ross' helming. The script here is co-written by Oscar-winning Simon Beaufoy & Oscar-nommed Michael Arndt. The sets, costumes, make-up, & special effects are all superior, as well. If I have reservations about this movie, there are 2. 1) it takes quite a time to 'get going'. Thankfully, it's pretty kick-ass by the last 45 minutes. And 2) though I am invested in the characters/situations, I still feel that the movie lacks some heart. But overall, 'Catching Fire' is a big step-up from the 1st film & is successful in making me anticipate the next film.