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    The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

    Reviewed by
    adamwatchesmovies@

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    “Catching Fire” is a superior sequel. It expands the world first established in “The Hunger Games”. More importantly, it develops the characters further, raises the stakes and deepens the romantic plot. It’s a film aimed at teenagers so the love triangle is prominently featured but anyone watching will be engaged, particularly when the stakes rise to this height.

    Hunger Games winners Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) have won a life of luxury, but it comes at a price. While the nation demands to know more about their beloved sweethearts, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) keeps a close eye on the young woman. Despite Snow’s threats, nothing seems to squelch the flames of rebellion rising inside her, leading him to take drastic measures.

    There are essentially two parts to the film. The first deals with the fallout of the 74th Hunger Games. Katniss and Peeta made it out alive by pretending to be in love. Now that ruse has to be maintained. While Katniss pines for Gale (Liam Hemsworth), she is forced to smile for the camera and pretend she couldn’t be happier about what happened. Meanwhile, she’s having nightmares about the blood she spilled. This drives her to try and reach out in kindness to the families of the deceased tributes. It only makes things worse. More attention, more interviews, more chances to screw up. The first film made the time outside of the arena interesting by showing us that she lacked the necessary skills to charm the sponsors. "Hunger Games 2" brings in political aspects that make it clear the teenagers are in way over their heads. Katniss is being drawn into a rebellion against the Capitol. All she wanted to do was live. Instead, she's being transformed into a symbol; something that belongs to everyone except herself. What could’ve been teenage drama feels like the weight of the world, and it only gets heavier from there.

    During the second half, “Catching Fire” finds a way to cleverly deliver more of what brought us to the series in the first place: the titular games. Thought the danger was real last time? Now it’s even worse. It’s completely overwhelming and it all seems even more insurmountable by the fact that Katniss and Peeta’s strategies won’t work a second time around.

    Once again, this series shows off plenty of inspired costume and visuals. The extravagant hairdos and dresses of the Capitol speak volumes about the society that tolerates these sacrificial gladiatorial games. It’s a great example of the tight direction by Francis Lawrence, who delivers the drama you’d expect out of teenage protagonists but doesn’t overdo it. Though Gale still needs further fleshing out, many of the side characters, including Effie Trinkey (Elizabeth Banks), Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) and Katniss’ sister Primrose (Willow Shields) get an injection of personality and growth. There is a lot going on here and all of these elements are well-balanced.

    Meatier and with higher stakes than its predecessor, “Catching Fire” is a sequel that proves this franchise has a lot to offer - and not just to teenagers. Young adults may get the most of the drama and romance but everyone will be gripped by the complexity of the politics at work and enthusiastically awaiting the next chapter. (On Blu-ray, October 5, 2018)

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    adamwatchesmovies@  29.11.2016 age: 26-35 2,867 reviews

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