The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Reviewed by Brendan Dousi
[rating: 4/5]
With a mostly well received first instalment that murdered at the box office almost as much as it did it’s oppressed dytopian child-tributes, Lionsgate’s Hunger Games franchise is going into full swing adapting the rest of Suzanne Collins’ hit tween book series into three more movies (between the two books left in the series). Up now is the second instalment, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire that promises a more in-depth look at the dystopian world that was merely glimpsed in the first film. Will the series be able to deliver on the intrigue that comes with themes of dystopian revolution, or will we simply get a bland rehash of the originals (already not very original) premise?
Catching Fire takes place almost immediately after the conclusion of The Hunger Games where the strong and wilful Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) bested an oppressive regime that sent her in an arena where only one should survive. Tricking them with some Romeo and Juliet suicide-berry pact, she and her fellow District 12 pseudo-lover Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) escaped the Hunger Games alive. Now, having convinced the entire dystopian-future nation of Pan Am that she and Peeta are madly in love (which is true on his behalf, but maybe not so much on hers…or is it?), they now have to go on their Victory Tour and play lovey dovey, all while Katniss’ heart really belongs with her spunky hunting-buddy Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth). To make things more complicated for poor Katniss the President of Pan Am, President Snow (Donald Sutherland), is keeping an eye on her every move, waiting for the right moment to take her out of the equation. After viewing the results of hers and Peeta’s defiance of President Snow, the other Districts are starting to rebel against the power of Snow and the Capital. A rebellion that will soon find the full weight of the Capital crashing down on Katniss’ beloved District 12 and landing her in another sticky situation as the next Hunger Games loom upon the region of Pan Am.
This easily could have been just a rehash of the first with just a different scenario and some fresh new problems to deal with, but instead this is an engaging, emotional and intriguing story about a young woman who has to find the courage to put the well-being of herself and her love ones aside for the greater good as she finds herself the sole effective symbol of hope against a domineering totalitarian regime. You feel the crushing responsibility that Katniss is facing as she just wants to live her life in peace but realises that it’s now impossible. Coupled with a love triangle that actually felt impressively genuine (a first for the tween genre), this film has enough weight to it to actually make you feel and care about what’s going on.
The film does fall into familiar territory however. It almost comes as a disappointment when the trademark of the franchise, these ‘Hunger Games’, rolls around and you see characters thrust forth into the pageantry, training and eventual blood-bath gladiatorial battles of the games. Katniss’ story, and the larger story of a revolution in a dystopian future is so engrossing and interesting, that the Games almost feel like a bore compared to the intrigue of the rest of the world. Sure, you get people hunting each other down, throwing sharp objects at each other’s heads and all that jazz, but it makes you wish that they’d just stayed out of the arena and focused on the bigger picture. That said, it is an integral part of the culture of Pan Am and its importance in this world is extreme, so from a story point of view it can be forgiven. Luckily, it is still some pretty decent viewing.
The best thing about Catching Fire, by far, is that everyone on screen drips with charisma and likeability. Jennifer Lawrence is utterly perfect as Katniss. She’s strong, blunt, smart and witty. It’d be easy for her to phone this performance in now that she’s got a career of critically acclaimed Oscar-winning film-making ahead of her, but she never does and I love her for it. Special mention to Elizabeth Banks as Effie, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, Stanley Tucci as Caesar and a fantastic Jena Malone as Johanna (here have you been, Jena? We’ve missed you!). Basically, just, everyone was great.
If you’re a fan of the franchise, or even just somewhat liked the first film, I can guarantee that you will get a kick out of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Even if you weren’t much of a fan of the first but quite liked the concept behind the film, maybe give this one a go too. Catching Fire is a huge improvement over an already quite alright first instalment, it’s just so much meatier and has a lot more to offer.
