Even better than the first.

Rating: 10/10 (3 May 2020)

This film is the second in the adaptation of a literary trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I did not read them, I have no particular intention of doing so for any particular reason, so I will ignore the books and focus on the film, which was already expected for those who saw the first one due to its open ending.
In this film, we continue to follow the story of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the unlikely Hunger Games winners we saw in the first film. They have to live the life of winners, but that life means becoming the target of national scrutiny, thanks to their popularity and the propaganda machine of President Snow, eager to use them to keep people entertained, without thinking about politics. But Katniss, against her will, had become a symbol for those who stand against that totalitarian regime, and Snow decides to organize new games where he can get rid of her in an exemplary way: designed to celebrate the seventy-five years of victory over the rebels, the new games will bring together just the winners from previous editions, knowing in advance that District 12 had only one female winner: Katniss will have to participate.
To begin with, its necessary to say that this film was not directed by the same director as the first. But this is something that the public will only notice if they are very attentive, since it matches, in quality and impact, the initial film. Everything is quite clear, especially if the audience has previously seen the first film (a premise to understand any sequels, of course). And if in the first film we see similarities between Panem and Ancient Rome, these similarities will become more visible as the Snow's regime reveals itself openly dictatorial, totalitarian and established on a cult of personality around him.
Jennifer Lawrence remained in excellent shape, as she had done in the first film. Her entire performance clearly reveals her mixed feelings and her character's intense and strong character. Josh Hutcherson is much better here than in the first film. He takes the initiative, quickly understands what needs to be done to survive the new challenges. Despite that, I can't take Hutcherson seriously and he always sounds strange to me. Okay, the defect may be mine, I admit, but that's how the actor's performance looks to me. Donald Sutherland never seemed so Machiavellian and somber as in this film, in an admirable performance that can be one of the most striking in the actor's recent career. Stanley Tucci was also amazing in the deeply satirical way in which he brought a sensationalist TV host to life. Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson gain even more psychological depth. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Sam Claflin, Lynn Cohen and Jena Malone also do a good job.
In addition to a great cast and a good story, the film has excellent production values: careful cinematography with good contrast, even better than in the first film; excellent sets and costumes and CGI and sound effects even more spectacular than the first ones. The soundtrack also deserves special mention for its effectiveness and beauty. Composed by James Newton Howard, it is one of those that remains in the ear long after we have seen the film.
Full of action and with an excellent story, this film is excellent and, for those who liked the first one, it will certainly be a must and leave the feeling that it was little. It is worth seeing and will definitely leave your appetite ready for the third film. However, and I repeat what I said in the review of the first film, I do not know how much younger children are prepared to see and, above all, to understand the story told. In addition, prevention remains: it is a film with some violent content and this has to be taken into account by parents and educators.