There may be plenty of hunger before we finally get to the games, but it’s more than worth the wait in this bigger, bolder and – yes – better sequel.
Even in spite of Lawrence’s knockout performance The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is so pleasing that come the closing credits, you’ll be hungry for the next serving
Despite being an international bestseller, nothing was written in stone to suggest Suzanne Collins’ trilogy of young adult sci-fi adventure novels would make a convincing leap to the big screen.
However, paydirt was well and truly hit with the casting of star-in-waiting Jennifer Lawrence in the central role of Katniss Everdeen who, along with strong direction from Gary Ross and striking production design, turned 2012’s The Hunger Games into a mature and effective first chapter in the franchise.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) must jump through President Snow’s hoops in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
With almost double the budget under his belt, new director Francis Lawrence (no relation) has turned in a follow-up that manages to avoid many of the symptoms of sequel-itis and builds on the foundations of the first movie to impressive effect.
Catching Fire picks up where The Hunger Games left off, with Katniss and fellow 74th Hunger Games tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) reluctantly embarking on a victor’s tour of the impoverished districts of Panem out of fear for their families’ safety. Anxious to stamp out the unrest that’s been brewing following Katniss’ show of defiance in the last Games, despotic President Snow (Donald Sutherland) announces that the 75th anniversary Quarter Quell will see former champions – Katniss and Peeta included – fight to the death in the most twisted and sickening Games yet.
Talk show host from hell Caesar Flickman (Stanley Tucci) in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Just as in the first installment, Catching Fire spends a great deal of time building up to the gladiatorial spectacle of the Games themselves. However, unlike The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, for example, you never get the sense the film is treading water and indulging itself. The slow, gradual wind up towards the horror of the Quarter Quell feels neccessary, as if the characters are pieces on a chessboard being carefully positioned.
Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) defies the authorities in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
That this build up is as engaging as it is is largely down to the captivating performance of Lawrence, who commands the screen. Since her breakout turn in Winter’s Bone, Lawrence’s stature has grown with every film and here it’s as if the camera is magnetised to her. What makes Katniss so appealing – and so human – is that she remains a reluctant hero, someone who would much rather be out hunting with her friend/love interest Gale (Liam Hemsworth) than be the face of the rebellion or a thorn in Snow’s side.
Catching Fire‘s supporting cast is an engaging mix of young and established talent, from Sutherland’s oily turn as the banally evil Snow, to Woody Harrelson’s colourful performance as Katniss and Peeta’s alcoholic mentor Haymitch and Elizabeth Banks’ nuanced portrayal of the garishly dressed Team Katniss cheerleader Effie Trinket, whose blind obidience to the Capitol gradually erodes as the veil is lifted.
The banally evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Special mention must go to Stanley Tucci, who’s even more over-the-top this time around as Caesar Flickerman, the Hunger Games talk show host with the impossibly white teeth and insincere laugh who peddles bread and circuses to the masses and stands alongside Snow as the face of Panem’s totalitarian regime. It’s the film’s creepiest character and Tucci’s performance is skin-crawlingly effective.
Just as in the first film, Catching Fire, well, catches fire when the Hunger Games finally commence. Although essentially the same set-up as the previous film (last person standing wins), this time around we get poisonous gas, electrified force fields, psychological warfare and, most disturbingly, flesh-eating monkeys thrown in. Each mini-set piece is striking in its own way and follow each other so quickly you’ll be left as exhausted as the tributes.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark are the girl, and boy, on fire in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
As is the way of modern day franchises, this second installment is darker than its predecessor and is much better for it. The social commentary and political subtext alluded to in the first film is more pronounced this time around (both visually and in the dialogue, most notably between Snow and Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Games Designer Plutarch Heavensbee) and the violence more reactionary and brutal. It’s pretty strong stuff for what’s supposed to be a film aimed at young adults.
Even in spite of Lawrence’s knockout performance Catching Fire is so pleasing that come the closing credits, you’ll be hungry for the next serving.
three rows back 
Off to this later with the good Lady, I will let you know if you are correct in your opinions ASAP.
Until the…
You usually do!
Nice review mate. Really looking forward to this. I was pleasantly surprised by the first one so I’m eager to see where it goes next.
Oh, thanks Chris. Your review is one I’d be very interested in reading. If you liked the first one you should get a lot out of this.
A solid movie, although not a great one. Still, totally worth while if you’re interested in just where exactly this story is going to turn up, why and how. Good review.
Many thanks Dan. As blockbuster fare goes it’s one of the best of 2013 without a doubt. There’s plenty to enjoy here.
Nice review! They really do a good job of fleshing out the world with a cast of incredibly talented actors – it’s great that a young adult adaptation goes to the effort of getting actors like Sutherland, Tucci and Wright.
Thanks man. There’s a strong balance there in terms of acting talent, led by Lawrence who I think is getting better and better.
Completely agree. Great review!
Much obliged, glad you enjoyed it.
Nice review! I’m yet to see either of them, I assumed they’d be super cheesy, but I’ve heard really good things about both…
Appreciate the kind words Georgina. I stayed away from Twilight but was drawn to this and neither film has let me down. Give ’em a try!
Great review. Man I need to check these films out sounds like I’m missing some good entertainment.
You are mate. They’re a lot better than you might think (in my opinion anyway).
Excellent review, saw this yesterday and thought it was great.
Thanks a lot Vinnie. Glad to hear you enjoyed it as much as I did. Really looking forward to Mockinjay now (both parts of it).
Well said friend. I loved every single minute of it, and that’s a surprise enhanced by the fact that the first one was such a hit with me. Never thought I’d be a gushing fan of a young adult book series! đŸ˜€
Me neither! I never bothered with the Twilight films as they didn’t appeal whatsoever. I like this series as it treats its audience as grown ups and has a genuinely interesting set-up. Their execution (no pun intended) is also pretty faultless, although I would say they’re a little too slavish to the books.