10s Movie Review - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Director: Francis Lawrence
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Drama/ Dystopian
Runtime: 146 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Sam Claflin,, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Jena Malone, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Description: Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.

Review: The first film in “The Hunger Games” franchise was a huge success and was really good. The second movie gets a new director, Gary Ross steps down and makes room for Francis Lawrence. 
Instead of getting in to the action right away, Lawrence takes time to look back on the happenings from the first film. The surprising climax of the 74th Hunger Games has changed a lot and it’s not over for Katniss and Peeta just yet. Together they have to visit all the districts for a victory tour, something they both don’t like doing. The people love Katniss and president Snow is anything but happy about it. 

Plutarch Heavensbee is the new game maker and decides to make the 75th Hunger Games into something unforgettable. Together with president Snow they decide to let former winners from each district fight it out in the arena. Because Katniss is the only female winner from district 12, she has to enter. And Peeta joins her again, when he volunteers after Haymitch was chosen. 

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is a case of bigger and better. But also visually it brings us more. No shaky cam here, which make the actions scenes even better. And the new arena brings a lot more variation and new dangers. The story is very true to its source material. 

It takes some time before the actual battle starts, but the movie never bores. This is also a big thank you to Jennifer Lawrence, who shines once again as Katniss. A tough heroine, who can also be vulnerable and it’s easy to identify with her. This franchise separates itself from other young adult films that were based on books. The film also adds some great new characters, like Finnick, Beetee, Plutarch and Johanna. 

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” was already my favorite book in the series, it’s a fantastic film as well.

Rating: 5 / 5