By: Purvi Goel
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire continues the story of Katniss Everdeen as she attempts to recover after the first Hunger Games. Her defiance and spirit has made her a symbol of rebellion for the oppressed citizens of Panem, but in a time when rules are enforced with hovercrafts and firebombs, an insurgent is as good as a corpse. Katniss is forced back into the Hunger Games, where she must explore the boundaries of her loyalties and decide, once and for all, with whom they lie.
This movie was excellent, by far surpassing its predecessor and the book by Suzanne Collins on which it is based. Jennifer Lawrence delivers a show-stealing performance as the damaged but enduring Katniss Everdeen, displaying depth and subtlety that brings the heroine to life. Josh Hutcherson shines in the role of Peeta Mellark, adding an innocence to the character that shines like a beacon in the dark-toned dystopia. Sam Claflin and Liam Hemsworth are excellent as Finnick Odair and Gale, respectively, rounding out their characters with excellent delivery and complexity. The cast’s chemistry was excellent and all the actors play their roles in bringing the story to life.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has a raw, realistic quality that matches its tone. Additionally, the masterfully designed sets and lighting serve to enhance the beauty of the film, and make it all the more terrifying. A particularly harrowing scene filled with carnivorous baboons comes to mind.
The film shows that miracles can indeed happen, in that it is one of the few screen adaptations that surpasses the book upon which it is based. While the novel Catching Fire has a derivative plot and lackluster characters, the movie director Francis Lawrence brings out a craftier, more touching side of the film. For instance, viewers are treated to scenes from the point of views of the villains, thus expanding the scope and insight of the story.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is both heartbreaking and exhilarating, an adventure that, despite its flaws, takes the audience into a completely new world. The actors’ performances are outstanding and draw the audience’s attention away from the movie’s few faults. The action-packed film still remembers to preserve emotional moments, so the audience feels triumph, sorrow, and fury, often all at the same time. Despite its flaws, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a spectacular and entertaining movie that will have the audience waiting eagerly for the next installment in Katniss’s journey.
Rating: A
Photos: http://schmoesknow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/hunger-games-catching-fire.jpg, http://www.thehungergamesexplorer.com/us/epk/catching-fire/posters/final-poster
