The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Film Review

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is the second installment in both the books and film series. After winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark both find it impossible to go back to the way things once were when they become targets of Donald Sutherland‘s character President Snow after the results of the districts of Panem starting to rebel. To restore order in PanemPresident Snow with the help of new head game maker Plutarch Heavensbee played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, finds it fitting to have past victors reaped to compete in the Hunger Games for a second time.

Once again, we are reunited with our favourite characters; KatnissPeetaGaleHaymitchEffiePrimCeasar and Cinna played by Jennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthWoody HarrelsonElizabeth BanksWillow ShieldsStanley Tucci and Lenny Kravitz. But we are also joined by the amazing talents of Sam ClaflinJena MaloneLynn CohenJeffrey Wright, and the already previously mentioned Philip Seymour Hoffman as their characters Finnick OdairJohanna MasonMagsBeetie Latier, and Plutarch Heavensbee. Together, every character, and every actor plays their role into making this film a complete success.

True to the book, the storyline is gripping, the characters regardless of how minor they are, are well developed, the costumes are stunning and the score for the film is absolutely fantastic. But the most important thing I feel that’s a huge improvement from the last film, is the cinematography. The cinematography no longer has a ‘shaky camera feel‘ which is a major relief to the many that got motion sickness from viewing the previous film (including me). Because the last film and book spent time building up the characters, the second installment wastes no time getting into the action and further developing the storyline. For this reason, I believe The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a better film than its predecessor.

Every actor has played their part in making this film as amazing as it is. And although I cannot say who was a stand out this time around, I can say that I was very fond of Sam Claflin and Jena Malone‘s performances. In particular, Jena Malone because she practically is Johanna Mason. Although short and minor, her parts on-screen are some of my favourite scenes of this film. Thanks to Josh Hutcherson‘s superb performance, I also feel we got to see more into Peeta‘s soul regardless of dialogue, as his eyes spoke volumes.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” delivers not only an excellent film for fans, but an excellent film in general. Whether you are a fan of the books, a fan of the previous film, or just want to see a great movie, you will enjoy it. This was my favourite book of the Hunger Games series, and I do believe that the film counterpart definitely does the book justice.

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