The Complete Series: The Hunger Games Catching Fire (2013)

Hello All,

So carrying on with the second film in our Hunger Games marathon we now turn to 2013’s entry Catching Fire. Having not been a big fan of the first film, I had my doubts when people told me it was better than the first one. Since I’m now committed to watching them however, it was about time I put that statement to the test, and how did catching fire do? Let’s find out shall we?

Plot Summary - Following the events of the last film, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) prepares for a victory tour, but is advised by President Snow (Donald Sutherland) that she must convince him that she will not be a threat and that her actions will not start another rebellion. When the time comes for the 75th Hunger Games to begin, since it is the Third Quarter Quell, the decide this year that previous victors of past Hunger Games must compete, once again thrusting Katniss straight into the games.

Pros - Once again Jennifer Lawrence shines as well as the rest of the cast. The ones we’re familiar with now have room to grow and expand after the vast amount of information we got in the first film. To give you an example, I hated Effie in the first film, but now she’s actually quite a sympathetic character in the sense that having gotten to know Katniss and Peita she actually feels sorry to see them going through this again. The pacing is much better as well, when I had to pause it at one point I was shocked to see that I was only forty minutes into the movie when I felt like more time had passed. The toned down the over satirization of the capital culture which is also nice and we get to see a bit more of district twelve as well.

Cons - They took out the hosts commentary on the games which I actually enjoyed from the first one, and the ending is a bit anticlimactic as we don't see…...well if you've already seen it you know what I’m talking about.

Final Score - 8/10

A vast improvement over the first one, Hunger Games Catching Fire is actually really good, although I will say, as much as I didn’t like the first one, if you’ve never read the books then watching the first one will help you understand what’s going on better.

I have an idea for number 100…..it’s going to take me some time though….so I’ll get started as literally soon as I’m done this.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.