The series continues and shines...for the most part

Rating: 8/10 (6 December 2013)

The first Hunger Games was an amazing beginning to the series. I had read the first book but I still haven't read the second so I don't know how that effects my opinions of the film. One of things I noticed nearly immediately was how much more political this film felt. The pacing is a little slower than the first because we are already introduced to the main characters but the world around them is the focus now and we really get to see more of what is happening in this Capitol controlled dysotopian future and in each district. This goes far beyond the games we discovered in the first film. There are some definitively disturbing scenes early on that really lay the ground work for the revolution that builds the rest of the series. Returning to the games was both exciting and a little old hat all at once. I have to give the film makers credit for actually giving us a whole new experience inside The Hunger Games without making it feel like its re-hashing what we've already seen. There a few things in the film (and perhaps they are lifted right from the book) but some things felt a little too deus ex machinima for me. I could have done without water that miraculously made their boils and heat welts vanish from their skin. The poison fog was one of the best scenes and the way they solved everyone being covered in boils was to wash them away. But that is one scene that does nothing to detract from an incredible political epic that had me riveted by the end. This series has gone from action epic to something with a lot more depth.
To say Jennifer Lawrence has exploded into Hollywood is a gross understatement. She is everywhere and for good reason. She is a talented and versatile actress and she completely embodies Katniss Everdeen. Her rise from the slums of District 12, and wanting to protect her sister to a symbol of hope and revolution is captivating and she is so terrific at it. Her range of emotions in this film is really impressive and this would not be the same without her. Josh Hutcherson also returns as Peeta. In my review of the first film I expressed my concern that he wasn't quite up to par compared to Lawrence and this second film emphasizes that. He is good in the role but not great and there are times you will wonder why Katniss fights so hard to protect Peeta because he is dead weight in that arena constantly getting himself into trouble. Still he's part of the series now and he does alright, I just think he's consistently the weak link in the cast. Everyone I wanted to get more screen time in the first film gets exactly that in the second which made me very happy. Woody Harrelson's brilliant portrayal of Haymitch is a little more subdued this time around but definitely gets more development. Liam Hemsworth is still terrific as Gale and his star crossed relationship with Lawrence is outstanding and they have great chemistry. Donald Sutherland is better than ever as President Snow who is now completely Katniss' adversary. Effie Trinket who is absolutely meant to be annoying is even moreso in the sequel played by Elizabeth Banks. I think they are trying to make her relatable but she really is irritating. The new tributes we are introduced to are all very good and add a lot to the story including Jack Quaid, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Lynn Cohen and Jena Malone were some of my favourite performances. Phillip Seymour Hoffman joins the cast and he is a brilliant actor but his character is very back seat in this instalment. I supposed I expected more, I'm not sure why. I look forward to seeing where his character goes. I also have to mention Patrick St. Esprit who's character enters the story at a key moment in a very climactic fashion. However, St. Esprit overacts and actually comes across as campy in the role and its such an inappropriate and unfortunate spot for camp and he sort of drags down the scene. I am sure I am missing a few key players from this enormous cast but these were some of the major key roles I noticed for one reason or another. (I love Stanley Tucci in his role but its very, very brief this time around.)
The Hunger Games series is fascinating because I really do believe it transcends just a youth's story about fight for her life. This has a lot of depth to it and it feels like the film makers in the first one and now this sequel are truly trying to make this series mean something. New to the director's chair is Francis Lawrence who has some terrific films with unique flare and style to his credit. I didn't quite see the level of darkness he could have brought to the story having seen his work in Constantine and I Am Legend but he absolutely knows the post-apocalyptic world and the way to really make things effective to the audience. He continues the story from the first but almost makes this one his own and that is impressive. Truly a terrific film and a worthy sequel that doesn't quite live up to the original but I'm not sure the book does either from what I understand. It is still entertaining, important and powerful in a number of ways and well worth your time to see both films in preparation for the third. (Terrific ending...albeit incredibly frustrating.) 8.5/10