“Catching Fire”: A Must-See Sequel

Hungers+Games+1

image from www.imdb.com

Hungers Games 1

The wait is finally over.

The second movie in the book series Hunger Games, was released this past Friday, November 21st. I, among millions of other Americans, lined up to see the movie the first day it was released. The movie follows the plot of Suzanne Collins’s novel Catching Fire. In the sequel to the first movie, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark try to return to their lives after becoming victors of the the 74th annual Hunger Games.

In the film, Katniss and Peeta begin rebuilding their lives after surviving in the arena. The two star-crossed lovers try to return to normalcy, but more officers from the Capital enter District 12. These officers are very cruel, and Katniss witnesses one of them whip her best friend, Gale. Katniss is still supposed to be madly in love with Peeta in the eyes of the capital, but she feels conflicted with Gale. President Snow visits Katniss, and assures her that he does not think that she is in love with Peeta. During the Victory Tour Katniss and Peeta go to all the losing districts, to talk to the family members of the fallen tributes. During a couple of the speeches rebellions break out. At the end of the tour President Snow announces the Quarter Quell, which is the 75th annual Hunger Games. For this set of games only victors from past games would compete. With this news, Katniss once again finds herself in a terrifying arena with Peeta. There is only supposed to be one winner, will both of them make it out alive?

The main character, Katniss Everdeen, is played by the Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Lawrence. Lawrence did an amazing job in the role of Katniss Everdeen. She was able to display her emotional dilemma between Peeta and Gale. Peeta is played by Josh Hutcherson, and Gale is played by Liam Hemsworth. However, some of the kissing scenes between Peeta and Katniss seemed a little forced and awkward. There were two new characters introduced into the series Finnick Odair, and Johanna Mason. Odair is played by Sam Claflin, and Mason is played by Jena Malone. Malone did a great job in the role of the rebellious Johanna Mason.

This movie was definitely worth the wait.The movie was very accurate to the book. The special effects used in the arena were very realistic. The only parts that were awkward were the love scenes between Katniss and Peeta; in my opinion, the movie seemed a little bit biased in favor of Gale. The scene where Katniss gave her speech to District 11 was done very well. Although this movie has very serious tone, parts of it were humorous. The scenes with Johanna Mason, and Effie Trinket, played by Elizabeth Banks, tended to be funny. The ending of the movie leads directly into the third book.

The theme to the Hunger Games deals with rebellion against the government. President Snow is the antagonist in this movie, and he is very cruel. This dystopian society does everything in its power to make everyone’s lives in the district miserable. Snow is more of a dictator then a president, and the whole theme to this movie is the importance of rebelling against an unjust society.

This movie is enjoyable for anyone who read the books, or to anyone who enjoyed the first movie. The MPAA rating is PG-13. This movie is very violent and is not appropriate for any child under the age of thirteen. I would recommend this movie, and the book, to any of my friends. I would give this movie 4.5 stars out of 5 because it follows the book with precise accuracy, but some parts were awkward.