Positive surprise of the year

Rating: 10/10 (24 November 2013)

Back when I saw the first Hunger Games I generally liked it, but I had several concerns about it. It was a bit predictable, at times too slow paced, and (except for Rue) I wasn't 100% satisfied with the acting performance. Still the universe of The Hunger Games seemed appealing enough to check out Catching Fire...
And man it was worth it so much! The Hunger Games back at the time didn't make me read the books these are based on - now the first thing I did after getting home from the cinema (from Catching Fire) was to order the trilogy.
In Catching Fire everything just clicks into it's place. The universe expands, the story and characters unfold and start to gain their twists, and the slow-pacedness is gone. The movie gains your attention right at the start and it stays entertaining, exciting, thrilling and gripping all the way to the end.
The director change to Mr. Lawrence was also a blessing, the scenes are beautifully shot, the pace is very good, and the view is spectacular. Although it's not in 3D and all, things, details (e.g. Katniss's dresses) are designed with an awful lot of creativity and attention. It's obvious that the scenes got a lot of love and care during shooting, and this makes it all feel more natural, real, and very high quality. Combined with the soundtrack which was already great in the first episode, the overall experience is marvelous.
The last, but most important thing I also have to mention is the acting performance. Well here it is just brilliant, both by the protagonist and all the other characters, I was left breathless! Among many things regarding the story and the characters, while walking my way out of the cinema I couldn't stop wondering about just how many unspeakable talents Hollywood has, and all they need is just a chance to be able to shine. Here they got it, and they lived with it well.
There is however a negative side of Catching Fire as well, which is the fact that it is cut in half the way an ordinary TV channel cuts movies to pieces with all their advertisements. They didn't even have to bother to leave you with a great cliffhanger... There is so much of the story and characters that you crave to know and see, that when you realize you have to wait another year to continue, it physically hurts.
In a nutshell: Although unfinised, without doubt this one is a masterpiece in all imaginable aspects!